Regeneration of WC-Co Nanopowders Via Sodiothermic Reduction in Molten Salts

Abstract

WC-Co nanoparticles were directly recycled via sodiothermic reduction in NaCl-52mol%CaCl2 molten salts using oxidized hard metal scrap as the raw materials. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that a series of cemented carbide, such as W, W-Co, WC and WC-Co nanoparticles, were successfully recycled using the molten salt systems. The results show that WC/WC-Co nanoparticles can be recycled form oxidized hard metal scrap via sodiothermic reduction in the NaCl-52mol%CaCl2 molten salts.