The present invention is directed to, among other things, a stationary peg for securing within a grinding chamber of a coal pulverizer, wherein the stationary peg includes a base portion having a front surface with a groove defined therein and an elongate portion extending from the front surface of the base portion. A layer of a protective material is disposed on the upper surface of the elongate portion and at least a portion of the layer extends into the groove defined in the front surface of the base portion.