Static friction measurement methodology for the assessment of performance of industrial valves at high temperatures: Case study for a nickel-based alloy coating

Abstract

High static friction between functional surfaces poses a serious challenge for industrial valves, particularly for those used in the advanced ultra-supercritical power generation industry that requires raising the steam temperature to 760 °C. In this context, we established the static friction measurement methodology by evaluating the effects of temperature, loading time, and number of static cycles on the evolution of the static coefficient of friction up to 800 °C. This methodology was applied on a nickel-based solid lubricant coating that appears an attractive candidate to withstand very harsh environments. The tribological behavior is explained in terms of a competition of three mechanisms governing the static friction processes: micro-welding or sintering of asperities, creep of asperities, and formation of lubricious oxides.