Patent Publication Number: US-2022219231-A1

Title: Powder feedstock for wear resistant bulk welding configured to optimize manufacturability

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims from the benefit of U.S. App. No. 62/842,867, filed May 3, 2019, and entitled “POWDER FEEDSTOCK FOR WEAR RESISTANT BULK WELDING CONFIGURED TO OPTIMIZE MANUFACTURABILITY”, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     This disclosure generally relates to hardfacing/hardbanding materials, alloy or powder compositions used to make such hardfacing/hardbanding materials, methods of forming the hardfacing/hardbanding materials, and the components or substrates incorporating or protected by these hardfacing/hardbanding materials. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     There have also been efforts within the Fe—Cr—C—B system with the addition of other hardphase forming elements such as U.S. Pat. No. 8,704,134, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This patent describes a compositional space whereby a particular wear performance and hardness using borocarbides in an austenitic or ferritic ferrous matrix. U.S. Pat. No. 8,704,134 also teaches a welding method whereby glass compositions containing precipitates form on a substrate which, as demonstrated in the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 8,704,134, tend towards forming long needle-shaped borocarbide structures. While these structures provide excellent wear resistance, they can lower the toughness of the weld overlay. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,994, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes boride containing alloys. However, it does not describe the thermodynamic criteria, phases, and morphology described in this disclosure. Additionally, it does not describe alloy spaces that specifically control refractory content and thermodynamic characteristics to enable manufacturability via the bulk welding process. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,553,382, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes niobium containing and iron based glass alloys. Specifically these alloys are described as containing non glass elements and M 23 (C,B) 6  and/or M 7 (C,B) 3 . This disclosure describes alloys designed to be free of both M 23 (C,B) 6  and M 7 (C,B) 3  and does not rely on glass formation to develop the final properties of the material. 
     U.S. Pat. App. No. 20160/168670, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, teaches coating alloys that comprise thermodynamic characteristics with a high phase fraction of near spherical borides and total borides. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are embodiments of a powder feedstock configured for bulk welding, the powder feedstock comprising Fe and, in wt. %: B: about 6.5 to about 9.5, C: about 0.5 to about 3, Cr: about 15 to about 25, Mo+W: about 15 to about 25, and Nb: about 1 to about 15. 
     In some embodiments, Fe: about 20 to about 60. In some embodiments, Nb: about 3 to about 15. In some embodiments, Nb: about 3 to about 10. 
     In some embodiments, the powder feedstock includes, in wt. %, Fe and B: about 8.07—about 9.07, C: about 0.94—about 1.34, Cr: about 20.73—about 22.73, Mo: about 21.84—about 23.84, Nb: 5.02-6.02, and Si: up to 1% silicon. 
     In some embodiments, the powder feedstock can be configured to form a matrix and is characterized by having, under thermodynamic conditions, a total mole fraction of MC carbides at 1300K of between about 1% and about 9%, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ti, Zr, V, Ta, W, and/or Hf. In some embodiments, M is Nb. In some embodiments, the total mole fraction of MC carbides at 1300K can be between about 2% and about 8%. 
     In some embodiments, the powder feedstock can be configured to form a matrix and is characterized by having, under thermodynamic conditions, a total mole fraction of metallic matrix phases with a face-centered or body-centered cubic structure at 1300K is between about 5 and about 20%. 
     In some embodiments, the powder feedstock can be configured to form a matrix and is characterized by having a total boride mole fraction at 1300K of between about 40 and about 90%. In some embodiments, the total boride mole fraction at 1300K can be between about 75 and about 85%. 
     In some embodiments, the powder can comprise ferro molybdenum, ferro boron, ferro chrome, boron carbide, and ferro niobium powders. In some embodiments, the powder feedstock can comprise 20 to 30 wt. % ferro boron, 25 to 40 wt. % ferro molybdenum, 5 to 15 wt. % ferro niobium, 3 to 8 wt. % boron carbide, 20 to 35 wt. % ferro chromium. 
     Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a weld formed from the powder feedstock of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the weld can be deposited via arc welding in combination with a steel electrode consumable to form a wearplate. 
     In some embodiments, the weld can comprise Fe and, in wt. %: B: about 2.5 to about 3.8, C: about 0.2 to about 1.2, Nb: about 0.5 to about 5, Cr: about 5 to about 12, and Mo: about 5 to about 12. 
     In some embodiments, the weld can comprise near spherical borides where Mo+W &gt;20 wt %, near spherical MC carbides, and &lt;10 mol % hypereutectic (Fe,Cr)2B. In some embodiments, the weld can have a hardness of ≥about 55 HRC. In some embodiments, the weld can have a hardness of ≥about 64 HRC. In some embodiments, the weld can have an ASTM G65 procedure A mass loss of ≤about 0.2 g. In some embodiments, the weld can have an ASTM G65 procedure A mass loss of ≤about 0.08 g. 
     In some embodiments, the weld can comprise a total volume fraction of MC carbides of between about 1% and about 9%, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ti, Zr, V, Ta, W, and/or Hf. In some embodiments, M is Nb. In some embodiments, the total mole fraction of MC carbides is between about 2% and about 8%. In some embodiments, the weld can comprise a total volume fraction of metallic matrix phases with a face-centered or body-centered cubic structure of between about 5 and about 20%. In some embodiments, the weld can comprise a matrix having a total boride volume fraction of between about 40 and about 90%. In some embodiments, the total boride volume fraction is between about 75 and about 85%. 
     Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method of bulk welding from a powder feedstock, the method comprising applying the powder feedstock to form a weld, the powder feedstock comprising: B: about 6.5 to about 9.5, C: about 0.5 to about 3, Cr: about 15 to about 25, Mo+W: about 15 to about 25, and Nb: about 1 to about 15. 
     Embodiments of a powder feedstock as disclosed herein. 
     Embodiments of a method of bulk welding as disclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an equilibrium solidification diagram of an example disclosed alloy (X29) having the composition B 7.04 C 0.96 Cr 18.7 Mo 17.6 Nb 4.7 Fe balance . 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an equilibrium solidification diagram of an alloy outside of this disclosure (X27) having the composition B 8.48 C 1.98 Cr 22.0 Mo 21.1 Nb 14.1 Fe balance  in weight percent 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an equilibrium solidification diagram of an alloy outside of this disclosure (X25) having the composition B 8.42 C 1.12 Nb 5.52 Cr 21.85 Fe 41.13 Mo 20.71 Si 0.60  in weight percent. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In certain hardfacing applications using a bulk welding process, it can be advantageous to utilize powder feedstock that minimizes unmelted particles after welding, easily has flux detach, and/or maintains stable process conditions, such as voltage, amperage, wire feed, table traverse rate, oscillation width, and powder feed rate over a range of process parameters. 
     Disclosed herein are embodiments of alloys configured as a blend of raw material constituents or configured as a homogeneous powder that are used as feedstock to form wear resistant coatings, such as for bulk welding applications, achieving the properties listed above. Alloys that meet the embodiments of this disclosure have beneficial deposition characteristics including low spatter during welding, controlled dilution with substrates, easy flux detachment, low percentage of unmelts, and wide processing windows. 
     As disclosed herein, the term alloy can refer to the chemical composition forming the powder disclosed within, the powder itself, and the composition of the metal component formed by the heating and/or deposition of the powder. 
     The technology in this disclosure occupies a unique balance between achieving advantageous wear resistant and impact resistant microstructure and compatibility with the bulk welding process. In general, it is beneficial to utilize refractory elements such as Mo and Nb to form borides and carbides of desirable morphology for performance. Reduction of these elements will generally increase the potential of an undesirable microstructure resulting in low impact resistance. However, as refractory elements are increased the weldability becomes more challenging particularly in the process of bulk welding. Refractory elements are by definition, high melting temperature, and their increased utilization will increasingly result in unmelts. Unmelts are particles which have not been melted during the welding process but are contained within the overall weld bead. The presence of unmelts is un-desirable because they decrease weld performance. A typical option for reducing unmelts is to increase the welding power. However, as welding power is increased unmelts will decrease but additional problems will arise. Dilution will increase with welding power, which is undesirable beyond 38% for a variety of reasons. 
     Further, embodiments of this disclosure show additional inventive effort to enable compatibility with a specific welding process known as bulk welding. The preferred embodiments and majority of potential alloy compositions described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2016/0168670 are not compatible with bulk welding. 
     In contrast to the U.S. Pat. No. 8,704,134 discussed above, embodiments of this disclosure describes criteria that allow for precise control over the performance, microstructural, and thermodynamic criteria. Specifically, this can be done by controlling the chemistry to reduce, or completely exclude, carbides and borocarbides that have detrimental performance impacts. This exclusion can allow for control of toughness, wear resistance, and hardness not described in the referenced art. 
     Chemistry 
     In some embodiments, alloys powder feedstocks can be described by a range in chemistry. This range is used to describe the blended or atomized powder configured to form a wearpart or hardfacing layer after welding. For example, in some embodiments the alloys can comprise the following, in weight percent:
         B: 5-10 (or about 5—about 10);   Cr: 10-30 (or about 10—about 30);   Fe: 20-60 (or about 20—about 60);   Mo+W: 10-30 (or about 10—about 30).       

     In some embodiments an alloy can comprise by weight percent:
         B: 5-10 (or about 5—about 10);   C: 0.5-3 (or about 0.5—about 3);   Cr: 10-30 (or about 10—about 30);   Fe: 20-60 (or about 20—about 60);   Mo+W: 10-30 (or about 10—about 30).       

     In some embodiments an alloy can comprise by weight percent:
         B: 5-10 (or about 5—about 10);   C: 0.5-3 (or about 0.5—about 3);   Cr: 10-30 (or about 10—about 30);   Fe: 20-60 (or about 20—about 60);   Mo+W: 10-30 (or about 10—about 30);   Nb: 1-15 (or about 1—about 15).       

     In some embodiments an alloy can comprise by weight percent:
         B: 6.5-9.5 (or about 6.5—about 9.5);   C: 0.5-3 (or about 0.5—about 3);   Cr: 15-25 (or about 15—about 25);   Fe: 20-60 (or about 20—about 60);   Mo+W: 15-25 (or about 15—about 25);   Nb: 1-15 (or about 1—about 15).       

     In some embodiments an alloy can comprise by weight percent:
         B: 6.5-9.5 (or about 6.5—about 9.5);   C: 0.5-3 (or about 0.5—about 3);   Cr: 15-25 (or about 15—about 25);   Fe: 20-60 (or about 20—about 60);   Mo+W: 15-25 (or about 15—about 25);   Nb: 3-15 (or about 3—about 15).       

     In some embodiments an alloy can comprise by weight percent:
         B: 6.5-9.5 (or about 6.5—about 9.5);   C: 0.5-3 (or about 0.5—about 3);   Cr: 15-25 (or about 15—about 25);   Fe: 20-60 (or about 20—about 60);   Mo+W: 15-25 (or about 15—about 25);   Nb: 3-10 (or about 3—about 10).       

     In some embodiments an alloy can comprise Fe and, by weight percent:
         B: 8.1-9.0 (or about 8.1—about 9.0);   C: 1-1.3 (or about 1—about 1.3);   Nb: 5.4-5.8 (or about 5.4—about 5.8);   Cr: 19.7-21.9 (or about 19.7—about 21.9);   Mo: 21.7-23.2 (or about 21.7—about 23.2).       

     In some embodiments an alloy can comprise Fe and, by weight percent:
         B: 7.3-9.9 (or about 7.3—about 9.9);   C: 0.9-1.5 (or about 0.9—about 1.5);   Nb: 4.8-6.3 (or about 4.8—about 6.3);   Cr: 17.7-24.1 (or about 17.7—about 24.1);   Mo: 19.5-25.5 (or about 19.5—about 25.5).       

     In some embodiments an alloy can comprise Fe and, by weight percent:
         B: 7.7-9.4 (or about 7.7 to about 9.4);   C: 1.0-1.2 (or about 1.0—about 1.2);   Cr: 19.5-23.9 (or about 19.5—about 23.9);   Mo: 20.6-25.1 (or about 20.6—about 25.1);   Nb: 4.9-6.1 (or about 4.9—about 6.1).       

     In some embodiments an alloy can comprise Fe and, by weight percent:
         B: 6.8-10.3 (or about 6.8—about 10.3);   C: 0.9-1.4 (or about 0.9—about 1.4);   Cr: 17.4-26.1 (or about 17.4—about 26.1);   Mo: 18.3-27.4 (or about 18.3—about 27.4);   Nb: 4.4-6.6 (or about 4.4—about 6.6).       

     In some embodiments an alloy can comprise Fe and, by weight percent:
         B: 8.07-9.07 (or about 8.07—about 9.07);   C: 0.94-1.34 (or about 0.94—about 1.34);   Cr: 20.73-22.73 (or about 20.73—about 22.73);   Mo: 21.84-23.84 (or about 21.84—about 23.84);   Nb: 5.02-6.02 (or about 5.02—about 6.02).       

     For any of the above compositions, the alloy can further include silicon. In some embodiments, the alloys may contain greater than 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, or 0.9 (or about 0.1, about 0.2, about 0.3, about 0.4, about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.8, or about 0.9) wt. % silicon. In some embodiments, the alloys may contain less than 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, or 1.0 (or about 0.1, about 0.2, about 0.3, about 0.4, about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.8, about 0.9, or about 1.0) wt. % silicon. 
     For any of the above compositions, Nb can be substituted for one or more of Nb, Ti, Zr, V, Ta, and Hf in equivalent percentages. 
     In some embodiments the alloys may be described instead as a blend of raw material powders. For example, in some embodiments the alloys can comprise the following in weight percent:
         Ferro boron (FeB): 20-30 (or about 20—about 30);   Ferro molybdenum (FeMo): 25-40 (or about 25—about 40);   Ferro niobium (FeNb): 5-15 (or about 5—about 15);   Boron carbide (B 4 C): 3-8 (or about 3—about 8).       

     In some embodiments an alloy can comprise, in weight percent:
         Ferro boron: 20-30 (or about 20—about 30);   Ferro molybdenum: 25-40 (or about 25—about 40);   Ferro niobium: 5-15 (or about 5—about 15);   Boron carbide: 3-8 (or about 3—about 8);   Ferro chromium (FeCr): 20-35 (or about 20—about 35).       

     In some embodiments the alloy can include, in weight percent:
         Ferro boron: 22-27 (or about 22—about 27);   Ferro molybdenum: 30-36 (or about 30—about 36);   Ferro niobium: 7.7-9.4 (or about 7.7—about 9.4);   Boron carbide: 4.8-5.8 (or about 4.8—about 5.8);   Ferro chromium: 26-32 (or about 26—about 32).       

     In some embodiments the alloy can include, by weight percent:
         Ferro boron: 19-29 (or about 19—about 29);   Ferro molybdenum: 26-39 (or about 26—about 39);   Ferro niobium: 6.6-10.2 (or about 6.6—about 10.2);   Boron carbide: 4.2-6.4 (or about 4.2—about 6.4);   Ferro chromium: 26-39 (or about 26—about 39).       

     For the above recited compositions, the raw material powders can be broken down as below in certain embodiments.
         Ferro boron: 15-21 (or about 15—about 21) wt. % B, Fe BAL.   Ferro molybdenum: 60-75 (or about 60—about 75) wt. % Mo, Fe: BAL.   Ferro niobium: 58-73 (or about 58—about 73) wt. % Nb, Fe: BAL.   Boron carbide: 18-24 (or about 18—about 24) wt. % C, B: BAL.   Ferro chromium: 62-83 (or about 62—about 83) wt. % Cr, Fe: BAL.       

     For all of the above compositions, they can further include up to 5 (or about 5) wt. % impurities. 
     From an elemental balance standpoint, a reduction of refractory elements such as Mo, Nb, and W or an increase in iron in alloys feedstock powders can be correlated with improved manufacturability. For example the alloy P59-X19, which is outside the embodiments of this disclosure, in Table 2 has a total refractory content (Mo+Nb+W) of 34.7 wt. % and a total iron content of 32 wt. %. The alloy X29 with good manufacturing performance and which is within the embodiments of this disclosure, has a total refractory content of 22.32 wt. % and a total iron content of 49.9 wt. %. The alloy X25 within this disclosure has a total refractory content of 29 wt. % and a total iron content of 41 wt. %. 
     Although a reduction in refractory content leads to improved welding performance, these elements, (Mo, Nb, W) are advantageous in the alloy feedstock powder to form the desired phases and phase fractions in the coating. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2016/0168670 describes in detail the benefits of borides and/or carbides formed from these refractory elements. Benefits include increased phase hardness correlated to improved wear performance and near spherical morphology which improves coating toughness. 
     In some embodiments of this disclosure, alloy powder feedstocks have between 15 wt. % and 28 wt. % (or between about 15 and about 28 wt. %) of the refractory elements Mo+Nb+W. In some embodiments, the alloy powder feedstock can have been 24 wt. % and 32 wt. % (or between about 24 and about 32 wt. %) of the refractory elements Mo+Nb+W. In some embodiments, the alloy powder feedstock can have been 27 wt. % and 29 wt. % (or between about 27 and about 29 wt. %) of the refractory elements Mo+Nb+W. In some embodiments of this disclosure alloy powder feedstocks have greater than 35 wt. % Fe (or greater than about 35 wt. %). 
     Table 1 below demonstrates alloy feedstock blends intended to produce coating chemistries described in U.S. Pat. App. No. 2016/0168670, P59-X20 &amp; P29-X27. However, the bulk welding process being so fundamentally different that there is essentially no similarity between the feedstock chemistries of a bulk welding powder (to which this disclosure focuses on) and a cored wire (to which 2016/0168670 focuses on). As will be shown, several unsuccessful attempts were made to transition these embodiments into the bulk welding process, and additional inventive effort was required. The bulk welding process can involve four separate constituents which are melted together. The alloy blend as shown in the table below is itself composed of a mixture of different alloying ingredients, in these for example B 4 C, FeMo, FeB, FeCr, FeNb. The alloy blend if melted together will form a powder chemistry, also shown in the table below. As discovered through the course of this study, particular ingredients of the alloy blend create welding difficulties such as FeMo, B 4 C, and FeNb. Furthermore, certain powder chemistries create welding difficulties. In the table, all values can additionally be about said value (for example 22.0 wt. % Cr is also about 22.0 wt. % Cr). 
     In addition to the alloy blend, three other constituents are involved in the bulk welding process which affect the resultant coating chemistry and weld quality: the welding electrode, the substrate, and the flux. The welding electrode and substrate are commonly mild steel alloys and are intended to melt together with the alloy blend to create a coating chemistry. The flux protects the molten metal during the process, but is not intended to significantly affect the coating chemistry. However, certain alloy blend ingredients and powder chemistries will react with the flux producing undesirable results such as flux sticking which is unacceptable in wear plate manufacturing. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Shows alloys inside and outside of the embodiments of this disclosure in wt. %. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Blend Chemistry 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 ELC- 
                   
                 Powder Chemistry 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 B 4 C 
                 Cr 
                 FeMo 
                 FeB 
                 FeCr 
                 FeNb 
                 Fe 
                 Total 
                 B 
                 C 
                 Nb 
                 Cr 
                 Fe 
                 Mo 
                 Si 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 p59-X19 
                 6.7% 
                 22.0% 
                 33.4% 
                 17.0% 
                 0.0% 
                 20.9% 
                 0.0% 
                 100.00% 
                 8.38 
                 1.46 
                 13.90 
                 21.85 
                 32.03 
                 20.77 
                 0.73 
               
               
                 p59-X27 
                 9.3% 
                 0.0% 
                 34.0% 
                 6.4% 
                 29.1% 
                 21.2% 
                 0.0% 
                 100.00% 
                 8.48 
                 1.98 
                 14.10 
                 22.00 
                 30.75 
                 21.15 
                 0.94 
               
               
                 p59-X25 
                 5.0% 
                 0.0% 
                 33.3% 
                 24.5% 
                 28.9% 
                 8.3% 
                 0.0% 
                 100.00% 
                 8.42 
                 1.12 
                 5.52 
                 21.85 
                 41.13 
                 20.71 
                 0.60 
               
               
                 P59-X25.1 
                 5.3% 
                 0 
                 33.0% 
                 24.5% 
                 28.7% 
                 8.5% 
                     0% 
                   100% 
                 8.57 
                 1.14 
                 5.52 
                 21.73 
                 39.8 
                 22.84 
                 0.4 
               
               
                 p59-X29 
                 4.3% 
                 0.0% 
                 28.3% 
                 20.0% 
                 24.7% 
                 7.1% 
                 15.6%  
                 100.00% 
                 7.04 
                 0.96 
                 4.72 
                 18.67 
                 49.94 
                 17.60 
                 0.51 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The disclosed alloys can incorporate the above elemental constituents to a total of 100 wt. %. In some embodiments, the alloy may include, may be limited to, or may consist essentially of the above named elements. In some embodiments, the alloy may include 2 wt. % (or about 2 wt. %) or less, 1 wt. % (or about 1 wt. %) or less, 0.5 wt. % (or about 0.5 wt. %) or less, 0.1 wt. % (or about 0.1 wt. %) or less or 0.01 wt. % (or about 0.01 wt. %) or less of impurities, or any range between any of these values. Impurities may be understood as elements or compositions that may be included in the alloys due to inclusion in the feedstock components, through introduction in the manufacturing process. 
     Further, the Fe content identified in all of the compositions described in the above paragraphs may be the balance of the composition, or alternatively, where Fe is provided as the balance, the balance of the composition may comprise Fe and other elements. In some embodiments, the balance may consist essentially of Fe and may include incidental impurities. 
     Thermodynamic Criteria 
     Embodiments of alloys of the disclosure can be fully described by certain equilibrium thermodynamic criteria, especially for the powder feedstock. The alloys can meet some, or all, of the described thermodynamic criteria.  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3  illustrate equilibrium solidification diagrams of embodiments of the disclosure as well as alloys outside of this disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, a thermodynamic criterion is the mole fraction of MC carbides MC carbides comprise a face centered cubic structure (FCC) where M comprises Nb, Ti, Zr, V, Ta, and/or Hf. A high mole fraction of MC carbides in the alloy correlates to reduced weld performance including but not limited to reduced arc stability, presence of unmelts in the deposit, poor deposition efficiency, poor surface quality, poor flux detachment characteristics. M 7 C 3 , M 23 C 6 , and M 3 C, are examples of carbides that are not MC carbides. 
     The mole fraction of MC carbides is the measured as the sum, at equilibrium, of all carbide phases that adhere to the above composition. This criteria is measured at 1300K. In the alloy P59-X29 of  FIG. 1  the only MC carbide is NbC, so the mole fraction of MC carbide is 5.3% [ 101 ]. In the alloy P59-X19  FIG. 2  the MC carbide mole fraction is 12.8% [ 201 ]. P59-X29 and P59-X19 are designed to form analogous microstructures when deposited as a bulk weld, with similar phase fractions in the deposited coating and expected wear performance. However in a production environment P59-X29 works with controllable deposit characteristics such as weldability, consistent base dilution, and reliable flux detachment. The alloy P59-X19 does not have good characteristics in production with unreliable substrate dilution and poor repeatability conditions. Increased MC carbide fraction is thus correlated with reduced manufacturing reliability. 
     In some embodiments, the MC carbide mole fraction can be ≥0.5% and &lt;9.5% (or ≥about 0.5% and &lt;about 9.5%). In some embodiments, the MC carbide mole fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;9.5% (or ≥about 1% and &lt;about 9.5%). In some embodiments, the MC carbide mole fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;9% (or ≥about 1% and &lt;about 9%)). In some embodiments, the MC carbide mole fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;8% (or ≥about 1% and &lt;about 8%). In some embodiments, the MC carbide mole fraction can be ≥2% and &lt;9% (or ≥about 2% and &lt;about 9%). In some embodiments, the MC carbide mole fraction can be ≥3% and &lt;9% (or ≥about 3% and &lt;about 9%). In some embodiments, the MC carbide mole fraction can be ≥2% and &lt;8% (or ≥about 2% and &lt;about 8%). 
     In some embodiments the MC carbides may comprise predominantly niobium as the metallic component. These will be known as niobium carbides defined as MC type carbides where M comprises ≥50% niobium (or ≥about 50%). 
     In some embodiments, the niobium carbide mole fraction can be ≥0.5% and &lt;9.5% (or ≥about 0.5% and &lt;about 9.5%). In some embodiments, the niobium carbide mole fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;9.5% (or ≥about 1% and &lt;about 9.5%). In some embodiments, the niobium carbide mole fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;9% (or ≥about 1% and &lt;about 9%)). In some embodiments, the niobium carbide mole fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;8% (or ≥about 1% and &lt;about 8%). In some embodiments, the niobium mole fraction can be ≥2% and &lt;9% (or ≥about 2% and ≥about 9%). In some embodiments, the niobium carbide mole fraction can be ≥3% and &lt;9% (or ≥about 3% and &lt;about 9%). In some embodiments, the niobium carbide mole fraction can be ≥2% and &lt;8% (or ≥about 2% and &lt;about 8%). 
     In some embodiments, a thermodynamic criterion is the mole fraction of total matrix (Total Matrix). Total matrix comprise metallic matrix phases with a face centered cubic body centered cubic structure (FCC or BCC), e.g., the matrix that would be formed in a coating. A high mole fraction of Total Matrix in the alloy correlates to improved weld performance. Low Total Matrix may cause reduced arc stability, presence of unmelts in the deposit, poor deposition efficiency, poor surface quality, and/or poor flux detachment characteristics. 
     The mole fraction of Total Matrix is measured as the sum, at equilibrium, of all BCC and FCC metallic phases. This criteria is measured at 1300K. In the alloy powder feedstock P59-X29 of  FIG. 1  the only Total Matrix is an FCC phase, so the mole fraction of Total Matrix is 12.5% [ 102 ]. In the alloy powder feedstock P59-X19 in  FIG. 2 , there is not FCC or BCC matrix phase present at 1300K so the mole fraction of Total Matrix is 0%. Increased matrix fraction is correlated with improved manufacturability which may be due to improved fluidity of the weld and improved conductivity improving arc stability of deposition with increasing matrix fractions of a feedstock powder alloy. 
     In some embodiments, the Total Matrix mole fraction can be ≥3% and &lt;30% (or ≥about 3% and &lt;about 30%). In some embodiments, the Total Matrix mole fraction can be ≥5% and &lt;30% (or ≥about 5% and &lt;about 30%). In some embodiments, the Total Matrix mole fraction can be ≥5% and &lt;25% (or ≥about 5% and &lt;about 25%)). In some embodiments, the Total Matrix mole fraction can be ≥5% and &lt;20% (or ≥about 5% and &lt;about 20%). In some embodiments, the Total Matrix mole fraction can be ≥2% and &lt;15% (or ≥about 2% and ≥about 15%). In some embodiments, the Total Matrix mole fraction can be ≥2% and &lt;20% (or ≥about 2% and &lt;about 20%). In some embodiments, the Total Matrix mole fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;30% (or ≥about 1% and &lt;about 30%). 
     In some embodiments, a thermodynamic criterion is the mole fraction of total borides. Total Boride criteria is the sum of all boride phases present in the alloy. A high mole fraction of Total Boride in the alloy correlates to improved wear performance of the deposit. Excessively high total boride may cause reduced arc stability, presence of unmelts in the deposit, poor deposition efficiency, poor surface quality, and/or poor flux detachment characteristics. 
     The total boride mole fraction is measured as the sum, at equilibrium, of all hard phases comprising boron at 1300K. In the alloy powder feedstock P59-X29 of  FIG. 1  this is the sum of M2B_C16 [ 105 ], M2B_CB [ 103 ], and M3B2_D5A [ 104 ] for a total of 80.6%. Significantly lower levels may lead to insufficient performance in the final deposited coating. Significantly higher fractions may reduce weld fluidity or other weld characteristics that lead to poor deposit performance or manufacturability. 
     In some embodiments, the Total Boride mole fraction can be ≥40 and &lt;95% (or ≥about 40% and &lt;about 95%). In some embodiments, the Total Boride mole fraction can be ≥40% and &lt;90% (or ≥about 50% and &lt;about 90%). In some embodiments, the Total Boride mole fraction can be ≥60% and &lt;90% (or ≥about 60% and &lt;about 90%)). In some embodiments, the Total Boride mole fraction can be ≥70% and &lt;90% (or ≥about 70% and &lt;about 90%). In some embodiments, the Total Boride mole fraction can be ≥75% and &lt;85% (or ≥about 75% and &lt;about 85%). In some embodiments, the Total Boride mole fraction can be ≥70% and &lt;95% (or ≥about 70% and &lt;about 95%). 
     Microstructural Criteria 
     Embodiments of alloys of the disclosure can be fully described by certain microstructural criteria. The alloys can meet some, or all, of the described microstructural criteria. 
     In some embodiments, a microstructural criterion is the volume fraction of MC carbides MC carbides comprise a face centered cubic structure (FCC) where M comprises Nb, Ti, Zr, V, Ta, and/or Hf. A high volume fraction of MC carbides in the alloy correlates to reduced weld performance including but not limited to reduced arc stability, presence of unmelts in the deposit, poor deposition efficiency, poor surface quality, poor flux detachment characteristics. M 7 C 3 , M 23 C 6 , and M 3 C, are examples of carbides that are not MC carbides. 
     The volume fraction of MC carbides is the measured as the sum of all carbide phases that adhere to the above composition. Increased MC carbide fraction can be correlated with reduced manufacturing reliability. 
     In some embodiments, the MC carbide volume fraction can be ≥0.5% and &lt;9.5% (or ≥about 0.5% and &lt;about 9.5%). In some embodiments, the MC carbide volume fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;9.5% (or ≥about 1% and &lt;about 9.5%). In some embodiments, the MC carbide volume fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;9% (or ≥about 1% and &lt;about 9%)). In some embodiments, the MC carbide volume fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;8% (or ≥about 1% and ≥about 8%). In some embodiments, the MC carbide volume fraction can be ≥2% and &lt;9% (or ≥about 2% and &lt;about 9%). In some embodiments, the MC carbide volume fraction can be ≥3% and &lt;9% (or ≥about 3% and &lt;about 9%). In some embodiments, the MC carbide volume fraction can be ≥2% and &lt;8% (or ≥about 2% and &lt;about 8%). 
     In some embodiments the MC carbides may comprise predominantly niobium as the metallic component. These will be known as niobium carbides defined as MC type carbides where M comprises ≥50% niobium (or ≥about 50%). 
     In some embodiments, the niobium carbide volume fraction can be ≥0.5% and &lt;9.5% (or ≥about 0.5% and &lt;about 9.5%). In some embodiments, the niobium carbide volume fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;9.5% (or ≥about 1% and &lt;about 9.5%). In some embodiments, the niobium carbide volume fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;9% (or ≥about 1% and &lt;about 9%)). In some embodiments, the niobium carbide volume fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;8% (or ≥about 1% and &lt;about 8%). In some embodiments, the niobium volume fraction can be ≥2% and &lt;9% (or ≥about 2% and &lt;about 9%). In some embodiments, the niobium carbide volume fraction can be ≥3% and &lt;9% (or ≥about 3% and &lt;about 9%). In some embodiments, the niobium carbide volume fraction can be ≥2% and &lt;8% (or ≥about 2% and &lt;about 8%). 
     In some embodiments, a microstructural criterion is the volume fraction of total matrix (Total Matrix). Total matrix comprises metallic matrix phases with a face centered cubic body centered cubic structure (FCC or BCC). A high volume fraction of Total Matrix in the alloy correlates to improved weld performance. Low Total Matrix may cause reduced arc stability, presence of unmelts in the deposit, poor deposition efficiency, poor surface quality, and/or poor flux detachment characteristics. 
     The volume fraction of Total Matrix is measured as the sum, at equilibrium, of all BCC and FCC metallic phases. Increased matrix fraction can be correlated with improved manufacturability which may be due to improved fluidity of the weld and improved conductivity improving arc stability of deposition with increasing matrix fractions of a feedstock powder alloy. 
     In some embodiments, the Total Matrix volume fraction can be ≥3% and &lt;30% (or ≥about 3% and &lt;about 30%). In some embodiments, the Total Matrix volume fraction can be ≥5% and &lt;30% (or ≥about 5% and &lt;about 30%). In some embodiments, the Total Matrix volume fraction can be ≥5% and &lt;25% (or ≥about 5% and &lt;about 25%)). In some embodiments, the Total Matrix volume fraction can be ≥5% and &lt;20% (or ≥about 5% and &lt;about 20%). In some embodiments, the Total Matrix volume fraction can be ≥2% and &lt;15% (or ≥about 2% and &lt;about 15%). In some embodiments, the Total Matrix volume fraction can be ≥2% and &lt;20% (or ≥about 2% and &lt;about 20%). In some embodiments, the Total Matrix volume fraction can be ≥1% and &lt;30% (or ≥about 1% and &lt;about 30%). 
     In some embodiments, a microstructural criterion is the volume fraction of total borides. Total Boride criteria is the sum of all boride phases present in the alloy. A high volume fraction of Total Boride in the alloy correlates to improved wear performance of the deposit. Excessively high total boride may cause reduced arc stability, presence of unmelts in the deposit, poor deposition efficiency, poor surface quality, and/or poor flux detachment characteristics. 
     The total boride volume fraction is measured as the sum of all hard phases comprising boron. Significantly lower levels may lead to insufficient performance in the final deposited coating. Significantly higher fractions may reduce weld fluidity or other weld characteristics that lead to poor deposit performance or manufacturability. 
     In some embodiments, the Total Boride volume fraction can be ≥40 and &lt;95% (or ≥about 40% and &lt;about 95%). In some embodiments, the Total Boride volume fraction can be ≥40% and &lt;90% (or ≥about 50% and ≥about 90%). In some embodiments, the Total Boride volume fraction can be ≥60% and &lt;90% (or ≥about 60% and &lt;about 90%)). In some embodiments, the Total Boride volume fraction can be ≥70% and &lt;90% (or ≥about 70% and &lt;about 90%). In some embodiments, the Total Boride volume fraction can be ≥75% and &lt;85% (or ≥about 75% and &lt;about 85%). In some embodiments, the Total Boride volume fraction can be ≥70% and &lt;95% (or ≥about 70% and &lt;about 95%). 
     Experimental Detail 
     The alloys described in Table 2 (P59-X19, P59-X27, P59-X25, and P59-X29) were welded using a lab scale bulk welding test. The goals of this test are to achieve an acceptably low percentage of unmelted particles, good weld quality, and substrate dilution in the range of 20-38%. Unmelted particles after welding may lead to reduced impact and abrasion resistance. 
     In some embodiments, the alloy can have less than or equal to 10 volume % (or about 10 volume %) unmelted particles. In some embodiments, the alloy can have less than or equal to 5% (or about 5%) unmelted particles. 
     Poor weld quality in the form of excessive flux sticking to the weld or porosity in the surface are indicative of conditions that would lead to production problems or low product quality respectively. Dilution must be within the specified range to: 1) ensure that good bonding with the substrate can be reliably achieved in production with excessively low dilution leading to poor bonding; 2) that the base material or substrate is not excessively weakened via thinning in the case of over dilution; and 3) that the weld and base material interface is relatively planar with excessive dilution leading to inconsistent overlay thickness across the bead and thus reduced wear performance of the coating. 
     In the case of the alloys described in the embodiments of this disclosure, P59-X25 and P59-X29, good weld quality was observed over the range of acceptable dilution with acceptable unmelts and weld quality observed as well. In the case of alloys outside the embodiments of this disclosure, P59-X19 and P59-X27, the only way to achieve good particle melting behavior and weld quality was to increase dilution to unacceptable levels. 
     The lab scale bulk welding process utilizes a machined mild steel substrate with a roughly rectangular cavity 6 inches by 1.25 inches at a depth of 6 mm. Said cavity is then filled with about 75 g of −250 micron powder blended to the ratios described in table 1. After ensuring the cavity is filled uniformly with powder, the powder is covered with granular welding flux. Above this is an automated welding torch is configured to oscillate at about 27 mm width and traverse at about 9 inches per minute with a contact tip to work distance of about 0.75 to 1.5 inches. Based on the experimental parameter of powder to wire ratio, the feed rate of a solid steel 5/64 inch wire is adjusted to so the ratio of wire to powder is correct after welding. Then the bulk welding proceeds, the flux removed, and the weld/coating deposit is examined for dilution, quality, and level of unmelts. 
     The P59-X19 wire was first welded at 2.5:1 powder to wire ratio as in Table 2. The result was too low dilution, excessive unmelts, and unacceptable flux to deposit adhesion. In the second test, the powder to wire ratio was reduced to 1.8:1 which yielded an acceptable dilution level but still had unacceptable level of unmelted particles and porosity. A further reduction to a powder to wire ratio of 1.2:1 yielded acceptable unmelt content and weld quality but unacceptable levels of dilution. In conclusion there is no acceptable intersection of the competing properties of unmelted particle content and acceptable dilution range. Similarly for P59-X27 the same result was observed with 1.2:1 yielding excessive dilution but 1.5:1 resulting in excessive unmelts despite proper dilution levels. These cases can be contrasted with P59-X29 and P59-X25 where both good dilution levels, good weld quality, and acceptable levels of unmelts were achieved concurrently. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Experimental data for alloys inside (X25 and X29) and outside 
               
               
                 (X19 and X27) of the embodiments of this disclosure. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Powder:Wire 
                 Measured 
                   
               
               
                 Powder 
                 Ratio 
                 Dilution 
                 Note 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 P59-X19 
                 2.5 
                 10% 
                 Unmelted particles, flux sticks 
               
               
                 P59-X19 
                 1.8 
                 32% 
                 Unmelted particles and porosity 
               
               
                 P59-X19 
                 1.2 
                 44% 
                 Excessive Dilution 
               
               
                 P59-X27 
                 1.2 
                 40% 
                 Excessive Dilution 
               
               
                 P59-X27 
                 1.5 
                 30% 
                 Unmelted particles 
               
               
                 P59-X25 
                 1.3 
                 38% 
                 Marginal Dilution - Good weld 
               
               
                 P59-X25 
                 1.8 
                 25% 
                 Good Weld 
               
               
                 P59-X29 
                 1.9 
                 22% 
                 Good weld 
               
               
                 P59-X29 
                 2.2 
                 28% 
                 Good weld 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Performance 
     Wear resistant alloys are often described by their performance in laboratory testing. The disclosed tests correlate well with wear resistant components in service. 
     In some embodiments, the alloy hardness can be ≥55 HRC (or ≥about 55 HRC). In some embodiments the alloy hardness can be ≥58 HRC (or ≥about 58 HRC). In some embodiments, the alloy hardness is ≥60 HRC (or ≥about 60 HRC). In some embodiments the alloy hardness can be ≥62 HRC (or ≥about 62 HRC). In some embodiments, the alloy hardness can be ≥64 HRC (or ≥about 64 HRC). In some embodiments, the alloy hardness of less than 71 HRC (or less than about 71 HRC). In some embodiments, the alloy hardness of less than 65 HRC (or less than about 65 HRC). 
     In some embodiments the alloy has an ASTM G65 procedure A mass loss ≤0.2 g (or ≤about 0.2 g). In some embodiments the alloy has an ASTM G65 procedure A mass loss ≤0.16 g (or ≤about 0.16 g). In some embodiments the alloy has an ASTM G65 procedure A mass loss ≤0.12 g (or ≤about 0.12 g). In some embodiments the alloy has an ASTM G65 procedure A mass loss ≤0.1 g (or ≤about 0.1 g). In some embodiments the alloy has an ASTM G65 procedure A mass loss ≤0.08 g (or ≤about 0.08 g). 
     Welding and Performance 
     Alloys described in this disclosure may have improved toughness, impact, and wear resistance over conventional hardfacing materials. 
     Applications 
     The alloys described in this patent can be used in a variety of applications and industries. Some non-limiting examples of applications of use include: 
     Surface Mining applications include the following components and coatings for the following components: Wear resistant sleeves and/or wear resistant hardfacing for slurry pipelines, mud pump components including pump housing or impeller or hardfacing for mud pump components, ore feed chute components including chute blocks or hardfacing of chute blocks, separation screens including but not limited to rotary breaker screens, banana screens, and shaker screens, liners for autogenous grinding mills and semi-autogenous grinding mills, ground engaging tools and hardfacing for ground engaging tools, wear plate for buckets and dumptruck liners, heel blocks and hardfacing for heel blocks on mining shovels, grader blades and hardfacing for grader blades, stacker reclaimers, sizer crushers, general wear packages for mining components and other comminution components. 
     Downstream oil and gas applications include the following components and coatings for the following components: Downhole casing and downhole casing, drill pipe and coatings for drill pipe including hardbanding, mud management components, mud motors, fracking pump sleeves, fracking impellers, fracking blender pumps, stop collars, drill bits and drill bit components, directional drilling equipment and coatings for directional drilling equipment including stabilizers and centralizers, blow out preventers and coatings for blow out preventers and blow out preventer components including the shear rams, oil country tubular goods and coatings for oil country tubular goods. 
     Upstream oil and gas applications include the following components and coatings for the following components: Process vessels and coating for process vessels including steam generation equipment, amine vessels, distillation towers, cyclones, catalytic crackers, general refinery piping, corrosion under insulation protection, sulfur recovery units, convection hoods, sour stripper lines, scrubbers, hydrocarbon drums, and other refinery equipment and vessels. 
     Pulp and paper applications include the following components and coatings for the following components: Rolls used in paper machines including yankee dryers and other dryers, calendar rolls, machine rolls, press rolls, digesters, pulp mixers, pulpers, pumps, boilers, shredders, tissue machines, roll and bale handling machines, doctor blades, evaporators, pulp mills, head boxes, wire parts, press parts, M.G. cylinders, pope reels, winders, vacuum pumps, deflakers, and other pulp and paper equipment, 
     Power generation applications include the following components and coatings for the following components: boiler tubes, precipitators, fireboxes, turbines, generators, cooling towers, condensers, chutes and troughs, augers, bag houses, ducts, ID fans, coal piping, and other power generation components. 
     Agriculture applications include the following components and coatings for the following components: chutes, base cutter blades, troughs, primary fan blades, secondary fan blades, augers, sugar cane harvesting, sugar cane milling operations, and other agricultural applications. 
     Construction applications include the following components and coatings for the following components: cement chutes, cement piping, bag houses, mixing equipment and other construction applications 
     Machine element applications include the following components and coatings for the following components: Shaft journals, paper rolls, gear boxes, drive rollers, impellers, general reclamation and dimensional restoration applications and other machine element applications 
     Steel applications include the following components and coatings for the following components: cold rolling mills, hot rolling mills, wire rod mills, galvanizing lines, continue pickling lines, continuous casting rolls and other steel mill rolls, and other steel applications. 
     The alloys described in this patent can be produced and or deposited in a variety of techniques effectively. Some non-limiting examples of processes include: 
     Thermal spray process including those using a wire feedstock such as twin wire arc, spray, high velocity arc spray, combustion spray and those using a powder feedstock such as high velocity oxygen fuel, high velocity air spray, plasma spray, detonation gun spray, and cold spray. Wire feedstock can be in the form of a metal core wire, solid wire, or flux core wire. Powder feedstock can be either a single homogenous alloy or a combination of multiple alloy powder which result in the desired chemistry when melted together. 
     Welding processes including those using a wire feedstock including but not limited to metal inert gas (MIG) welding, tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, arc welding, submerged arc welding, open arc welding, bulk welding, laser cladding, and those using a powder feedstock including but not limited to laser cladding and plasma transferred arc welding. Wire feedstock can be in the form of a metal core wire, solid wire, or flux core wire. Powder feedstock can be either a single homogenous alloy or a combination of multiple alloy powder which result in the desired chemistry when melted together. 
     Casting processes including processes typical to producing cast iron including but not limited to sand casting, permanent mold casting, chill casting, investment casting, lost foam casting, die casting, centrifugal casting, glass casting, slip casting and process typical to producing wrought steel products including continuous casting processes. 
     Post processing techniques including but not limited to rolling, forging, surface treatments such as carburizing, nitriding, carbonitriding, boriding, heat treatments including but not limited to austenitizing, normalizing, annealing, stress relieving, tempering, aging, quenching, cryogenic treatments, flame hardening, induction hardening, differential hardening, case hardening, decarburization, machining, grinding, cold working, work hardening, and welding. 
     From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that inventive products and approaches for powder feedstocks for wear resistant welding are disclosed. While several components, techniques and aspects have been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes can be made in the specific designs, constructions and methodology herein above described without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. 
     Certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as any subcombination or variation of any subcombination. 
     Moreover, while methods may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such methods need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, and that all methods need not be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other methods that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional methods can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described methods. Further, the methods may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products. Additionally, other implementations are within the scope of this disclosure. 
     Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include or do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments. 
     Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z. 
     Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than or equal to 10% of, within less than or equal to 5% of, within less than or equal to 1% of, within less than or equal to 0.1% of, and within less than or equal to 0.01% of the stated amount. If the stated amount is 0 (e.g., none, having no), the above recited ranges can be specific ranges, and not within a particular % of the value. For example, within less than or equal to 10 wt./vol. % of, within less than or equal to 5 wt./vol. % of, within less than or equal to 1 wt./vol. % of, within less than or equal to 0.1 wt./vol. % of, and within less than or equal to 0.01 wt./vol. % of the stated amount. 
     Some embodiments have been described in connection with the accompanying drawings. The figures are drawn to scale, but such scale should not be limiting, since dimensions and proportions other than what are shown are contemplated and are within the scope of the disclosed inventions. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions and layout of the devices illustrated. Components can be added, removed, and/or rearranged. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with various embodiments can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, it will be recognized that any methods described herein may be practiced using any device suitable for performing the recited steps. 
     While a number of embodiments and variations thereof have been described in detail, other modifications and methods of using the same will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, it should be understood that various applications, modifications, materials, and substitutions can be made of equivalents without departing from the unique and inventive disclosure herein or the scope of the claims.