EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS
DC1 − Jacopo Matteo Tabaglio
− Project Title: Design of mining tool material using ICME
− Host institution: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
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− Supervisors:
Annika Borgenstam (KTH)
Ida Borg (Sandvik)
Susanne Norgren (Sandvik)
Steven Moseley (HILTI)
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− Working Package: WP1 − WP4
​Objectives:
− Explore transformation strengthening in cemented carbide binders for rock drilling using ICME and thermodynamic models.
− Combine FEM stress simulations with experiments to predict and validate martensitic transformations.
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Expected Results:
− Model of strengthening transformations in carbide binders.
− Materials design framework for martensitic alternative binders
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Secondments:
− Sandvik (Sweden)
− HILTI (Liechtenstein)
DC2 − Maximilian Ziegler
− Project Title: The Role of Alloying Elements and Interfaces in Cobalt-Free Cermets
− Host institution: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
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− Supervisors:
Elena Gordo Oderiz (UC3M)
Rachid M’Saoubi (SECO)
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− Working Package: WP1 − WP3
​Objectives:
− Enhance wetting and densification in hard-to-sinter ceramics through reactive wetting and controlled alloying.
− Integrate computational modeling with experimental validation to optimize sintering pathways.
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Expected Results:
− Achieve improved low-temperature liquid-phase sintering of SiC-based cermets without reliance on critical raw materials.
− Validate the developed concepts on benchmark cermet systems (e.g., Ti(C,N)) to demonstrate transferability.
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Secondments:
− SECO Tools AB (Sweden)
− Lunds universitet (Sweden)
− Barcelona (Spain)
DC3 − Roger Escolano Benach
− Project Title: Additive manufacturing of hard materials by sinter-base 3D printing
− Host institution: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
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− Supervisors:
Emilio Jimenez Pique (UPC)
Hossein Besharatloo (UPC)
Rachid M’Saoubi (SECO)
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− Working Package: WP1 − WP3
​Objectives:
− Optimize extrusion 3D printing of hard materials using MIM feedstocks for defect minimization and high-density parts.
− Design customized components and evaluate size/shape limitations across processing stages.
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Expected Results:
− Development of complex-shape components with high density and controlled microstructure for standard WC-Co compositions.
− Adaptation of the process to innovative hard material grades.
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Secondments:
− Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Spain)
− SECO Tools AB (Sweden)
DC4 − Tamhasip Khan
− Project Title: Design for manufacturing of non-CRM superhard PCBN Tool Materials.
− Host institution: Element Six
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− Supervisors:
Volodymyr Bushlya (Lunds)
Teresa Rodriguez (E6)
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− Working Package: WP1 − WP2
​Objectives:
− Develop production-friendly PcBN materials using alternative non-CRM binders.
− Optimize material design for machining heat-resistant superalloys while ensuring manufacturability.
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Expected Results:
− Achieve a competitive cost/performance ratio through maximized design-for-manufacture scores.
− Validate material performance via doctoral research on operational behavior and coating adhesion prediction.
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Secondments:
− Lunds universitet (Sweden)
− Universitat Politecnica De Catalunya (UPC), (Spain)
DC5 − Prabhav Niteen Sumant
− Project Title: In-process interaction as predictor of material performance in operation.
− Host institution: Lunds universitet
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− Supervisors:
Volodymyr Bushlya (Lunds)
Joakim Odqvist (KTH)
Rachid M’Saoubi (SECO)
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− Working Package: WP1 − WP2
​Objectives:
− Quantify individual wear mechanisms during machining through advanced testing and microscopy.
− Build an integrated model capturing the combined effects of tool wear mechanisms.
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Expected Results:
− Infrastructure and test protocols for identification of individual wear mechanisms in machining.
− Developed modelling framework of performer linkage tools.
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Secondments:
− KTH (Sweden)
− SECO Tools AB (Sweden)
DC6 − Paul Okhiria
− Project Title: Cemented carbides in highly corrosive environment
− Host institution: University of Aveiro
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− Supervisors:
Alexandre Bastos (UA)
Ana Senos (UA)
Joaquim Sacramento (DURIT)
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− Working Package: WP1 − WP2
​Objectives:
− Investigate corrosion mechanisms of WC-Co and alternative binder systems in harsh acidic and alkaline environments.
− Develop corrosion-mitigation strategies by tailoring binder composition, phase formation, and microstructure.
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Expected Results:
− Clear understanding of how hardmetal constituents affect corrosion resistance, enabling the design of Co-free, corrosion-resistant grades.
− Accelerated transfer of newly developed hardmetal composites from research to industrial application.
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Secondments:
− DURIT Hardmetal (Portugal)
− KTH (Sweden)
− RWTH Aachen University (Germany)
DC7 − Yining Liu
− Project Title: Controlled service-like contact loading tests for non-CRM hard materials and coatings.
− Host institution: Universitat Politecnica De Catalunya (UPC)
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− Supervisors:
Emilio Jiménez-Piqué (UPC)
Giselle Ramirez Sandoval (UPC)
Rachid M’Saoubi (SECO)
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− Working Package: WP3 − WP4
​Objectives:
− Study post-treatments and microscale properties affecting coated tool degradation.
− Develop protocols and models for substrate–interface–coating performance.
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Expected Results:
− Key microstructural parameters linked to surface integrity and performance.
− Standard protocols for coating system degradation analysis.
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Secondments:
− RWTH Aachen University (Germany)
− Seco Tools AB (Sweden)
DC8 − Fanny Marvaldi
− Project Title: Damage tolerant design of hardmetals and cermets
− Host institution: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
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− Supervisors:
Luis Llanes (UPC)
Hossein Besharatloo (UPC)
Gian Pietro De Gaudenzi (OMCD)
Sandra Gordon-Pozuela (HILTI)
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− Working Package: WP2 − WP3
​Objectives:
− Develop protocols to assess residual mechanical integrity under abrasion and erosion.
− Evaluate effects on damage tolerance to guide optimized microstructural design of hardmetals and cermets.
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Expected Results:
− Key microstructural parameters identified for erosion/abrasion resistance and damage tolerance.
− Simulation routines enabling faster microstructural design of alternative hardmetals and cermets.
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Secondments:
− HILTI (Liechtenstein)
− OMCD Group (Italy)
DC9 − Atieh Koochakiabkenar
− Project Title: Lifetime prediction of Non-CRM hardmetals under corrosion and mechanical loading.
− Host institution: RWTH Aachen University
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− Supervisors:
Christoph Broeckmann (RWTH Aachen)
Joaquim Sacramento (DURIT)
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− Working Package: WP1 − WP4
​Objectives:
− Develop a numerical model for damage in non-CRM hardmetals under cyclic loading and corrosion.
− Assess the effect of corrosion on fatigue damage in non-CRM hardmetals.
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Expected Results:
− Lifetime prediction model integrating mechanical, environmental, and corrosion effects.
− Design basis for use-case-specific hardmetals and analysis of extreme loading conditions.
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Secondments:
− DURIT Hardmetal (Portugal)
− University of Aveiro (Portugal)
DC10 − Xenia Stergiopoulou
− Project Title: Hybrid Digital Twin Framework for the Prediction of Plastic Deformation and Performance Degradation of Recycled Hard-metal Tool in Machining
− Host institution: Lunds universitet
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− Supervisors:
Volodymyr Bushlya (Lunds)
Rachid M’Saoubi (SECO)
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− Working Package: WP2 − WP4
​Objectives:
− Build a framework linking tool design (microstructure, coating, post-treatment) to lifetime performance.
− Combine data and models to establish property–performance relations
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Expected Results:
− AI/ML and FE tools for digitalizing materials, machining, and performance.
− Digital Twin pathway for recycled hardmetal tool design.
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Secondments:
− Lund University (Sweden)
− RWTH Aachen University (Germany)