Evaluation of the wear properties of dual two-phase Ni3Al/Ni3V intermetallic alloys

Two-phase Ni3Al3V intermetallic alloys with and without carbon addition, composed of geometrically closed-packed (GCP) structures of Ni3Al (L12) and Ni3V (D022), were investigated for dry sliding wear against a G5 disc (WC carbides with a hardness of 1350 HV) at 298 K and 573 K by using a pin-on-disc type configuration. The dry sliding wear of a commercial Inconel 718 was also studied under the same experimental conditions for comparison. The wear mass loss measured for the Ni3Al3V intermetallic alloys increased with increasing sliding distance. In the dry wear test at 298 K, the 0.1 C intermetallic alloy showed the lowest wear mass loss, followed by the 0 C alloy and then the 0.5 C alloy. At 573 K, the 0.5 C alloy showed the smallest wear mass loss, followed by the 0.1 C alloy and then the 0 C alloy. All three intermetallic alloys showed better wear resistance compared to Inconel 718 at both test temperatures. The good wear resistance of the Ni3Al/Ni3V two-phase intermetallic alloys was attributed to the combination of the positive temperature dependence of the flow strength and the strong friction-induced work hardening during the dry sliding wear process.