At the core of global innovation in materials science, the Plansee Seminar 2025 set a high standard for excellence in powder metallurgy and refractory materials. Held in Reutte, Austria, this prestigious event welcomed over 530 experts from 30 countries, showcasing the latest breakthroughs that will shape the future of manufacturing.
Among the standout presentations was a collaborative study by Shu Powders Ltd. and Boehlerit GmbH & Co KG, illustrating a transformative shift in cobalt powder formulation: Soft Granulated Cobalt Powder. This advancement not only enhances tool performance but also meets modern demands for health, safety, and sustainability in the hard metal industry.
Why the Plansee Seminar Matters
Since its inception in 1952, the Plansee Seminar has grown into one of the most respected international conferences in its field. Hosted every four years, it fosters open exchange between academia and industry, covering the entire value chain – from raw material innovation to future-focused manufacturing processes.
In 2025, the seminar placed strong emphasis on sustainable materials, digital transformation, and safer production technologies – a perfect backdrop for introducing Shu Powders’ soft cobalt innovation.
As Karlheinz Wex, Spokesman of the Plansee Group’s Executive Board, put it:
Introducing: Soft Granulated Cobalt Powder
Representing Shu Powders Africa at the Plansee Seminar was Dr. Michael Oehlers. Co-authors of the research study include S. Sackl-Honner and R. Weissenbacher from Boehlerit Austria, and E. Zondi, Michael Oehlers, and P. Myburgh from Shu Powders, South Africa. Together, they introduced a new class of cobalt powder designed for both high performance and enhanced workplace safety.
Conventional Granulated Cobalt Powder
Soft Granulated Cobalt Powder
The study compared:
- Conventional granulated cobalt powder, produced under high-pressure compaction
- Soft granulated cobalt powder, created without compaction
Both powder types are dust-free, free-flowing, and non-flammable, but their behaviour during milling and sintering revealed notable differences – differences that directly influence tool strength, uniformity, and production efficiency.
Health, Safety, and Microstructural Performance: The New Standard
While conventional granulated cobalt powders are significantly safer than extra-fine cobalt, they can be difficult to disperse—especially when using shorter milling times that preserve fine tungsten carbide grain sizes. This often results in uneven microstructures and reduced transverse rupture strength (TRS).
Microstructure of Conventional Powder
Microstructure of Soft Granulated Powder
In contrast, the soft granulated cobalt powder demonstrated:
- Complete dispersion with both paraffin and polyethylene glycol binder (vs. just 5% with conventional powder)
- Over 40% reduction in cobalt pooling within the sintered microstructure
- Easier, more energy-efficient milling, especially for fine-grain carbide applications
- Fewer and smaller cobalt pools, confirmed via digital image analysis
- Improved microstructural uniformity, enhancing mechanical reliability
Controlled testing conditions included:
- Composition: WC 0.8 μm / 90% + Co 10%
- Lab attritor milling
- Industrial sintering at 1380°C for 35 hours in a H₂/Ar atmosphere
Despite nearly identical magnetic, hardness, and density properties, the soft granulated cobalt produced a cleaner, more uniform microstructure, a key factor in extending tool life and improving overall performance.
A Step Toward Greener Manufacturing
With shorter milling times and no need for high-pressure compaction, soft granulated cobalt powder supports greener manufacturing by:
- Reducing energy consumption
- Lowering carbon emissions
- Complying with increasingly strict regulations around cobalt dust
This innovation aligns directly with the Plansee Seminar 2025’s sustainability theme, highlighting the industry’s push toward eco-conscious and health-aware solutions.
The full research paper is available in the 21st Plansee Seminar 2025 proceedings.
The “Softer” Future for Hard Metals
Presenting the soft granulated cobalt powder study at Plansee Seminar 2025 signals a major step forward in hard metal manufacturing: one that’s cleaner, safer, and smarter.
By blending cutting-edge research with practical, scalable solutions, this innovation sets a new standard in cobalt powder technology and reflects the very spirit of the Plansee Seminar: collaboration, transformation, and a shared vision for a better industrial future.
As the industry evolves, one thing is clear: the future of hard metals is “softer,” safer, and far more sustainable.
