P/M Hard Materials

6. Novel concepts
6.1. alloying concepts and material design
6.2. ultra fine and nano-scaled hard materials
6.3. alternatives to hard metals
6.4. particle- and fiber-reinforced hard composites
6.5. innovative processes for production and recycling
6.6. novel compaction and sintering technologies
6.7. microstructural modeling
6.8. safety and environmental aspects

7. Processes and properties
7.1. powder production and processing
7.2. powder characterization
7.3. recycling
7.4. composition (hard phases, binder, dopants, impurities)
7.5. mechanical properties and reliability
7.6. novel methods of analysis and testing

8. Surface engineering
8.1. gradient structures
8.2. coating materials and coating processes
8.3. coatings with novel compositions and/or microstructures
8.4. characterization (growth and morphology of coatings, interfaces, residual stresses)
8.5. tribological behavior
8.6. wear