| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Rare Metal Extraction & Processing
|
| Presentation Title |
Studies of Layer Growth during the Disintegration of Cemented Carbides with Vaporous Zinc |
| Author(s) |
Lea Luznik, Eva Gerold, Thomas Weirather, Christoph Czettl, Helmut Antrekowitsch |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Lea Luznik |
| Abstract Scope |
The recycling of cemented carbides (CC) is crucial for conserving critical raw materials, making it ecologically, economically, and strategically significant. CC is composed of refractory carbides embedded in a metallic binder, commonly tungsten carbide and cobalt. Various recycling methods exist, but the zinc process has the most potential. In this approach, zinc reacts with cobalt in CC, leading to intermetallic phase formation and breakdown of the composite structure due to volume expansion. Subsequently, zinc evaporates under high temperatures, leaving a porous cemented carbide skeleton. Crushing, grinding, and sifting can transform this skeleton into a powder mixture suitable for direct use in manufacturing new products. However, little is known about the dimensional growth of the disintegration layer. This study investigates the growth of the layer during the diffusion-controlled decomposition stage. Gaining insight into this aspect will enhance understanding of fundamental mechanisms in the zinc process, facilitating advancements in cemented carbide recycling. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Recycling and Secondary Recovery, Pyrometallurgy, |