Keywords
Abstract
This study presents the structural and phase characterization of WC–Co hard alloy
wastes recycled through electrolytic processing. Tungsten-containing sludge obtained from nitric and
sulfuric acid electrolytes was filtered, dried, and converted into powder for subsequent analysis. The
morphology, particle size distribution, and elemental composition of the recycled tungsten powders
were investigated using SEM, EDXRF, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The results revealed
the presence of WO₃, WO₂, and H₂WO₄ phases with minor fractions of WC and metallic W. Most of
the cobalt transitioned into the electrolyte solution, resulting in low cobalt content in the recovered
powder. The powders produced under optimal electrolytic conditions exhibited fine, uniform particle
morphology and high purity, making them suitable for further processing into tungsten carbide or
other tungsten-based materials. Overall, the findings demonstrate that electrolytic recycling is an
efficient route for obtaining high-quality tungsten powder while enabling sustainable recovery of
valuable metals from WC–Co hard alloy wastes.