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During the operation of nickel-based alloys as blades and discs in turbines, the sliding activity between metallic surfaces is subjected to structural and compositional changes. In as much as friction and wear are influenced by interacting surfaces, it is necessary to investigate these effects. This study aims to understand better the mechanical and tribological characteristics of Ni-17Cr-10X (X = Mo, W, Ta) ternary alloy systems developed via spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique.

Nickel-based ternary alloys were fabricated via SPS technique at 50 MPa, 1100 °C, 100 °C/min and a dwell time of 10 mins. Scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, nanoindentation techniques and tribometer were used to assess the microstructure, phase composition, elemental dispersion, mechanical and tribological characteristics of the sintered nickel-based alloys.

The outcome of the investigation showed that the Ni-17Cr10Mo alloy exhibited the highest indentation hardness value of 8045 MPa, elastic modulus value of 386 GPa and wear resistance. At the same time, Ni-17Cr10W possessed the least mechanical and wear properties.

It can be shown that the SPS technique is efficient in the development of nickel-based alloys with good elemental distribution and without defects such as segregation of alloying elements, non-metallic inclusions. This is evident from the scanning electron microscopy micrographs.