High temperature steel lubrication

[gafultz]

We manufacture solid waste incinerators. The chamber that receives the waste is refractory-lined to withstand the 1400-1500 deg F average gas temperatures but the pipes that provide underfire combustion air and the rams that mix and move the waste are water-cooled mild steel. The rams as they move (slowly and intermittently) bear against the air pipes and support half their weight. The water jacket of the air pipes will erode over time from this contact. Does anyone know of a coating that would significantly extend the life of the steel air pipes and survive this environment 24/7? The pipes are enveloped in the burning waste most of the time and HCl as well as SO2 could be present depending on the waste. Some steam will also be present.

Thanks

 

[JTreglio]

TiAlN deposited by PVD might survive in your application. It is extemely wear resistant, and also fairly inert, used extensively for high-temperature machining applications.

Jim Treglio
Molecular Metallurgy, Inc.