• Samberger, Sebastian

Abstract

The recycling of tungsten carbide scrap is of particular importance for Austria, the world's largest exporter of tungsten carbides. The so-called zinc process constitutes the most frequently used recycling method for hard metal scrap besides indirect procedures. The goal of this thesis comprises the development of an experimental setup, which enables to contact cemented carbides with vaporous zinc in order to further optimize the zinc process. This approach depicts an interesting strategy to significantly improve the process duration and energy consumption. The practical investigations involve variations of operating units, materials and parameters to identify and specify suitable conditions for a disintegration of cemented carbides in a gaseous zinc atmosphere. These research and development activities allow for a doubling of typical decomposition rates cited in literature and achieving high yields. Furthermore, a theory describing the reaction mechanism during the disintegration is suggested. The determined process conditions and parameters offer a promising approach for recycling with vaporous zinc. Therefore, this thesis provides a sound basis for further developments in this research field.

Topics

• impedance spectroscopy
• theory
• zinc
• carbide
• tungsten
• decomposition