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Recycling of grinding sludge for new abrasive applications
The Advanced Manufacturing Lab (am|z) performs internationally leading research in the field of manufacturing engineering. A recent research focus is put on sustainable manufacturing and thus enabling a circular manufacturing economy. One aspect is the recycling of manufacturing by-products/waste and its remanufacturing into new products. For a new industry related research project, we are looking for a talented student.
Switzerland is the leading manufacturer of machines for the metalworking industry per capita. The metal grinding process is one of the last steps in manufacturing, aiming at efficient and high-precision products. Apart from the component, what is left after the process is the so-called grinding residue or sludge, containing metal particles, abrasive debris, water, and coolant additives. Manufacturers constantly struggle with how to safely and efficiently dispose of the grinding sludge produced during the manufacturing processes. Normally, it is briquetted and the fluids and metal are conventionally recycled (downcycled), with substantial losses.
It is our aim to process the briquettes in such a way, that the metal and abrasive contents are re-usable for sintering. For this, it is necessary to remove humidity and additives, and to find suitable processing parameters to deal with the non-ideal material input. At am|z, Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) equipment and analytical tools are available to perform all the processes involved.
Switzerland is the leading manufacturer of machines for the metalworking industry per capita. The metal grinding process is one of the last steps in manufacturing, aiming at efficient and high-precision products. Apart from the component, what is left after the process is the so-called grinding residue or sludge, containing metal particles, abrasive debris, water, and coolant additives. Manufacturers constantly struggle with how to safely and efficiently dispose of the grinding sludge produced during the manufacturing processes. Normally, it is briquetted and the fluids and metal are conventionally recycled (downcycled), with substantial losses. It is our aim to process the briquettes in such a way, that the metal and abrasive contents are re-usable for sintering. For this, it is necessary to remove humidity and additives, and to find suitable processing parameters to deal with the non-ideal material input. At am|z, Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) equipment and analytical tools are available to perform all the processes involved.
• Grinding sludge preparation and characterization
• Specimen production using a spark plasma sintering machine at am|z
• Microstructure analysis (density, grain size, particle distribution)
• Property determination (hardness, wear)
• Documentation / thesis writing
• Grinding sludge preparation and characterization • Specimen production using a spark plasma sintering machine at am|z • Microstructure analysis (density, grain size, particle distribution) • Property determination (hardness, wear) • Documentation / thesis writing
Konrad Papis, PFA H44
0446337968 papis@inspire.ethz.ch
Konrad Papis, PFA H44 0446337968 papis@inspire.ethz.ch