Protecting valve parts from erosion

Abstract

A coating that is configured for use on parts of a control valve. The configurations may incorporate various material layers, preferably that form a layered structure on a base or substrate (for example, an Inconel body). In one implementation, the layered structure can be arranged as 'stacked' individual layers that exhibit different concentrations or ratios of materials, including by example tungsten carbide and nickel alloy. The concentration of tungsten carbide may increase from an innermost layer to an outer most layer. This feature can extend service life of the parts, particularly when in use with highly-erosive process fluids, like particle-entrained fluids commonly found in hydrocracking or refining operations. Manufacture of the layered structure on the parts may require use of additive manufacturing technology in order to deposit layers of material of varying composition and thickness on the unique fluted design contemplated herein.