ASTM G65 abrasive and G77 block and ring wear tests showed an improvement in wear resistance of more than 8% compared to the original Durocast, with an 11% improvement over the former alloy. The barrels feature more than 75% tungsten carbide by weight, with less than 5% iron dilution. The estimated productive wear life is up to eight times greater than common nitride barrels, according to wear analysis and field experience. The manufacturer says the product also has a lower coefficient of friction and four times the abrasion resistance of standard bimetallics in dry-sand abrasion testing. Wexco Corp., Lynchburg, VA, U.S.A.; +1 800-999-3926.