WP7
TUT partners approach
The main objectives of this work package are development of wear resistant materials for cutter tools with increased lifetime for different types of grounds, study of materials wear resistance, optimization of cutter tools for various ground types, using software modelling of the tool penetration in granular materials and manufacturing new cutter tools based on the advanced developed materials.
This is the group photo of our team from Tallinn University of Technology.
Standing, from the left: PhD students Marek Tarraste, Der-Liang Yung, Dmitri Katušin, senior researcher Maksim Antonov. Sitting, front row: leading research scientist Irina Hussainova, professor Renno Veinthal.
Pictures are taken in the tribotesting laboratory of TUT.
Materials development in TUT
Tallinn University of Technology (TUT) is responsible for development of optimised materials with improved wear resistance. This work will be based on the concepts identified by TUT and other partners from previous experience and an extensive bibliographic study.
The development focuses on tungsten carbide based composites as the most widely used industrial materials due to their unique combination of mechanical, physical and chemical properties. The cutter tools of TBM require extremely high wear resistance and tolerance to impact loading. Failure of cemented carbide drill buttons is the main life-limiting factors for the drilling tools in rock drilling, mineral cutting, and tunnelling. The development of novel optimized materials with improved wear resistance and tolerance to fracture remains a challenge for materials science community. As mechanical behaviour of composite materials is related to the composition and microstructure as well as working load and environmental conditions, the main characteristics and properties of the materials to be used in specific applications can be tuned according binder content, size and distribution of the hard phase, consolidation technique and sintering additives. Several promising approaches that TUT has identified will be experimented.
Wear testing in collaboration with ECL
The work package consists also study of wear mechanisms and systematic investigations on wear resistance of the existing and newly developed materials. A key item in this task is the design and construction of specific test systems closely reproducing the operating conditions and failure patterns of the materials to be used in TBM. TUT is collaborating effectively with research group in ECL for that. Currently a new testing system allowing testing the tool materials in combined impact and sliding conditions is under development. Another system, presented in animation will be used to simulate the abrasive wear of the antenna protection shield.
Animation: Novel design of the tribometer for testing of materials. This machine will be used for the wear testing of the antenna protection shield.
This is the photo of the entire WP7 team, made during the meeting in Athens. 
