Circular Hard Metals via Mechanistic understanding of Impurity Tolerance (CHARM)

Purpose and goal

The project aims to enable circular use of cemented carbides by understanding how impurities affect microstructure and performance. With real-time characterization, modeling and industrial trials, new tools consisting of 90% recycled material will be developed. The goal is to reduce environmental impact, increase resilience and promote sustainable metalworking in collaboration between academia (KTH and Lunds Universitet) and companies (Sandvik Coromant and Mining, Seco Tools and Scatterin).

Expected effects and result

Project is expected to enable the development of cemented carbide tools with 90% recycled material, reducing environmental impact and dependence on critical raw materials. By increasing understanding of impurity effect on microstructure and properties, the industry´s ability to design circular solutions is strengthened. The results will contribute to more sustainable production of cemented carbides, and strengthen the competitiveness of both the tooling and manufacturing industries.

Planned approach and implementation

Project is implemented in five work packages with a focus on coordination, material production, modeling, real-time characterization and industrial validation. Through collaboration between academic partners KTH and Lunds Universitet and industrial partners Sandvik Coromant, Seco Tools and Sandvik Mining as well as a material characterization company Scatterin, recycled cemented carbides will be tested and developed, with the goal of creating models and tools for sustainable metal machining.