Leaching Behavior of Al, Co and W from the Al-Alloying Treated WC-Co Tool as a New Recycling Process for WC Hard Scrap

Jaeryeong Lee,Joowung Lee,Byoungjin Kim,Youngjin Kim

doi:10.3390/met6080174

Abstract

The Al-alloying treated tungsten carbide (WC)-Co tool was subjected to grinding using a jaw crusher and planetary mill followed by three wet chemical treatment steps to establish an effective recycling process for WC scraps, especially those generated as bulky and hard scrap. This alloyed WC tool was readily ground to a powder of 1 mm or less and divided into two portions that were 150 µm in size. The wet chemical treatments enabled us to recover W to 69.44% from the under-sized 150 µm and also obtain WC powders from the over-sized 150 µm with a high purity of 98.9% or more.

Highlights

Tungsten carbide (WC) is a major industrial material that is used in cutting tools, drawing and extrusion dies, nozzles, seals and many other applications
Recycling research and the industrialization of cemented carbides has steadily increased in recent years due to the increasing cost of raw materials, increased scarcity of the world’s tungsten reserves, and strict energy conservation regulations. These recycling methods are subdivided into two groups
There are many studies on effective and economical recycling of tungsten in cemented carbide tools, the most basic and critical factor is how to break down scrap pieces into powders, which may cause severe equipment wear and require a long grinding time due to the abrasive nature of the cutting tool materials

Summary

Introduction

Tungsten carbide (WC) is a major industrial material that is used in cutting tools (including drilling tools), drawing and extrusion dies, nozzles, seals and many other applications It has required properties, such as a high hardness, toughness, chemical inertness, and resistance to deformation. Recycling research and the industrialization of cemented carbides has steadily increased in recent years due to the increasing cost of raw materials, increased scarcity of the world’s tungsten reserves, and strict energy conservation regulations. These recycling methods are subdivided into two groups. There are many studies on effective and economical recycling of tungsten in cemented carbide tools, the most basic and critical factor is how to break down scrap pieces into powders, which may cause severe equipment wear and require a long grinding time due to the abrasive nature of the cutting tool materials

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Results

Conclusion