Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

The following research and development project will be the first formal collaboration project between the Centre de Métallurgie du Québec (CMQ) and the industrial partners Optimum-Canada (O-C) and PRAETER Manufacturing Technologies (PMT). O-C is a major cutting tool supplier and developer with over 28 years of experience in the field. Their main market is the aerospace industries that has develop challenging material to machine (nickel and iron base). PMT is a Startup company founded by experts in the field of HEA. Together they aim to develop a new high strength & ductility carbide cutting tool with improved wear resistance at high temperature offering a higher-quality product to its customers. Currently, WC tools don’t resist 20% of the target time on special materials. Advancements have occurred through the years however the binder remains the same, Cobalt. Moreover, all parties involved in the project are aware of the current shift to reduce the use of cobalt as the standard binder for cemented carbides tools. This tendency can be explained by both the health risks associated to cobalt and the desire to avoid extreme dependency on countries that are monopolistic suppliers of critical raw materials (amongst them, cobalt). The need to develop an alternative is urgent for the cutting tool global market. The project proposal to be carried out over a three-year lapse has great promise. The focus will be on the development of a new binder alternative for cemented carbide tools. The binder materials proposed are known as high-entropy alloys (HEA). HEA not only show potential for the substitution of cobalt but possess the requirements to enhance the tool’s mechanical properties. The contribution of the CRSNG via the ARD grant is significant, given the economic and logistical scope of this three-year project. Two post-graduate, and collegial students will be involved in the project as part of their thesis project, and graduation project, respectively. Their involvement will allow them to develop expertise in research, new technologies and be trained in state-of-the-art equipment. The benefits of the project will be substantial, and the innovation achieved will make a mark on what is currently the “standard” binder. Most importantly the innovation developed will reduce the dependence on monopolistic suppliers of critical raw materials.