Developmet of powder metallurgy products an processes of meatllic diamond alloys

• Grant number: 24/04213-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Transformation Metallurgy
• Agreement: SEBRAE-SP
• Principal Investigator: Thomaz Augusto Guisard Restivo
• Grantee: Thomaz Augusto Guisard Restivo
• Company: Protolab Laboratório de Propriedades Termofísicas e Prototipação Ltda
• CNAE: Metalurgia dos metais não-ferrosos e suas ligas não especificados anteriormente ; Fundição de metais não-ferrosos e suas ligas ; Produção de artefatos estampados de metal; metalurgia do pó
• City: Araçoiaba da Serra
• Pesquisadores principais: Silas Santos
• Associated research grant: 23/09818-8 - Developmet of powder metallurgy products an processes of meatllic diamond alloys, AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/05372-8 - Metallic diamond aloys related business development, BP.PIPE

Abstract

Metallic Diamond alloys consist of new materials composed of 5 to 9 different metallic elements. Hardness values from 1380 to 2500 HV (kgf/mm2) were registered, to prove that such alloys are the hardest metallic materials ever developed, in the experimental or industrial sectors. Furthermore, these materials show acceptable fracture toughness (KIC = 8 to 20 MPa.m1/2), as a reflection of their crystalline metallic characteristic. Metallic Diamond alloys are difficult to cut and form, even using ceramic or cermet tools. Therefore, the manufacture of parts through powder metallurgy processes close to the final dimensions was demonstrated and is the solution for the conformation of these materials. The project proposes to develop such methods in order to obtain economically viable materials and processes in order to replace current ultra-hard materials, such as some grades based on Co-WC cermet. The foreseen steps include from the adjustment of compositions leading to a smaller number of different and cheaper alloying elements, following to the manufacture of alloy powder by mechanical processes and atomization and the processes of sintering and final hardening of the bodies. The new powdered and shaped Metallic Diamond material has the potential to be used with advantages and lower cost in numerous applications, such as cutting and forming tools, roughing, materials that undergo abrasion, grinding bodies and other current materials of extreme resistance. Coating components with alloy powder is another possibility, for example for coating brake discs and other systems. Since Metallic Diamond alloys are cobalt-free, they are not affected by the logistics chain of this metal, which is extremely concentrated and scarce, as well as offering no damage to the environment such as Co, due to its toxicity. (AU)