Ni-Rich Cemented Carbide Tire Studs for Lower Road Wear

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cemented carbide tire studs with cobalt binders cause excessive wear on road surfaces and air-borne emissions, posing environmental and health concerns, and may be restricted due to cobalt's negative impact.

Innovation Solution

Tire studs made of cemented carbide with a binder comprising at least 50 wt% WC and a metal binder with at least 30 wt% Ni and less than 50 wt% Co, preferably with a high Ni content and minimal Co, along with optional Fe and Cr, to reduce wear and emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional cemented carbide with Co binder is used, then strength and wear resistance are improved, but road surface wear and particle emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidroad surface wear
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the metal binder by limiting Co content to less than 50 wt% (preferably less than 30 wt%) and requiring at least 30 wt% Ni, thereby reducing road surface wear while maintaining the necessary strength and wear resistance properties of the tire stud

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite metal binder system combining Ni and Co (with Ni being the dominant phase), creating a composite material that leverages Ni's lower wear characteristics while retaining Co's strengthening effects in controlled amounts, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and road surface wear

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional cemented carbide with Co binder is used, then wear resistance is improved, but particle emissions and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidparticle emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the binder composition parameters to reduce Co content and increase Ni content, which changes the wear mechanism and reduces the generation of harmful particle emissions while preserving the duration of action and wear resistance of the tire stud

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If Co content is reduced, then environmental impact is reduced, but strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidstrength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the parameter range of Co content (less than 50 wt%, preferably less than 30 wt%) and Ni content (at least 30 wt%) to find the optimal balance point where environmental impact is reduced while sufficient strength is maintained through the Ni-rich binder matrix

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses Ni as an intermediary element that can provide both binding strength and reduced wear characteristics, mediating between the need for strength and the desire to reduce Co content for environmental reasons

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3988339B1Tire studs
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 SANDVIK COROMANT
  • EP3988339B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3988339B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a tire stud made of a cemented carbide comprising at least 50 wt% WC and a metal binder in the amount between 3 and 25 wt%. Where the metal binder comprises at least 30 wt% Ni and less than 50 wt% Co. Using tire studs according to the invention leads to less wear of the road surface.