Abstract: A novel Cr-based WC hardmetal having nanosized tungsten carbide grains has been developed using PM route. Consolidation by spark plasma sintering obtaining near full density and good levels of fracture toughness values and a good wear performance in comparison with conventional Co base cemented carbides. The effect of different carbon contents on microstructure and phase formation is fully investigated and optimized to reach the best combination of properties.

Biography: José Manuel Torralba, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and Director of IMDEA Materials Institute. Prof. Torralba is Fellow in the two most important Powder Metallurgy associations in the world: FAPMI and FEPMA (first European to be Fellow at the same time in Europe and USA). He has received the prestigious FEMS Gold Metal. He has participated in more than 80 International Advisory Committees at International Conferences, in about 35 competitive funded projects (among which five EU-projects and one NSF-USA project) and in several research evaluation panels (including the EU Research Framework Programmes). He also regularly participates in activities related to mentoring, research integrity, new ethics in science and to the promotion of healthy conditions in research labs. He has been an active supervisor of PhD students (28) and has created a good international network of former students in academia and industry.