Investigation of rock cemented carbide interaction

Background and work description

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, a business area within the Sandvik Group, is a global, leading global provider of equipment and tools for the mining and infrastructure industies. An important area product is rock drills equipped with cemented carbides that break the rock.

In this master thesis project, the rock- cemented carbide interaction will be studied. There is a need to develop a test method mimicking the high temperature and toughness demands in rock drilling. This to be able to compare different carbide solutions. Special focus will be given to the toughness and the role of multiple impact of the carbide against the rock at elevated temperatures at the contact zone.

In addition, different rock types and ores demand different rock tools today based on the tungsten carbide-cobalt system. In this work we would also like to study the rock- cemented carbide interaction for possible replacements or substitutes for cobalt which is a conflict metal and Co dust is classified as a probable carcinogen. In this fundamental study the interaction between rock and cemented carbides of WC-Fe, WC-Ni an WC-Co will be studied.

The project will start with a literature review. The student will do diffusion couples at relevant temperatures and study them in Light optical microscopy and by SEM-EDS.

Student background

We are primarily looking for someone studying, materials science, mechanical engineering, chemistry, physics or similar. You must have a genuine interest in experimental work and have good writing and analytical skills. We put value in experience in independent experimental work.

As the work primarily will be carried out at Lund University of Technology, the applicant is assumed to have an accommodation in the Lund area arranged. Time will also be spent, primarily in the beginning of the project, at Sandvik in Västberga, Stockholm.

Duration

The thesis project lasts 20 weeks, starting January 30, 2023.

Application and contact

For more information about the thesis, please contact:

Volodymyr Bushlya, phone: +46 70 361 18 04
Email: volodymyr.bushlya@iprod.lth.se

Susanne Norgren, phone: +46 70 526 63 23
Email: susanne.m.norgren@sandvik.com

Malin Mårtensson, phone: +46 70 306 66 07
Email: malin.martensson@sandvik.com

Send your application to Susanne Norgren as soon as possible, and no later than October 31, as selections are made on an ongoing basis.

• Read more about business area Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
• Read more about Sandvik's offering within rock excavation on our website rocktechnology.sandvik