Transforming Hard Metals through Responsible Recycling
The recycling of materials used in nozzles is an important step towards a greener future. The responsible management of hard metals is a process that aims to conserve primary resources. Recycling significantly reduces the environmental impact of intensive mining, including air and water pollution and excessive energy consumption.
Why Recycle?
Recycling hard metals serves as a demonstration of environmental responsibility. By consciously sparing limited primary resources, we strive to minimize our ecological footprint and significantly increase the proportion of recovered materials through the recycling of hard metals. This not only reduces the consequences of intensive mining, such as air and water pollution and soil contamination but also addresses the substantial energy consumption associated with these activities.
Efficient Carbide Recycling
Hard metals that are used in nozzles, primarily composed of tungsten carbide and cobalt, find new life through two efficient processes: the thermal zinc process and a chemical process.
The Thermal Zinc Process
In this method, hard metal is loaded with zinc metal bits into a specialized oven. The technology revolves around the reaction of cobalt-binding metal with diffusing liquid zinc. As the hard metal expands and breaks down into thin layers, a porous mass of tungsten carbide and cobalt remains. Post-reaction, zinc is evaporated and recovered at high temperatures, leaving a porous mass that is then ground into powder.
Unlike chemical processes, the zinc process doesn’t chemically alter tungsten carbide and the binding metal. This maintains the original size of the tungsten carbide grain and ensures the recovery of cobalt-binding metal. The purity of the scrap used is crucial for high-quality recovered material.The thermal zinc process boasts several advantages, including the fact that the recycled powder contains over 99% tungsten carbide in its original form and its lack of dependence on wet chemicals makes it environmentally friendly.
The Chemical Process
In this approach, all components of used hard metal undergo a breakdown into their atomic constituents. Following this, refining, extraction, crystallization, and subsequent thermal powder metallurgical processes transform them into raw products. It operates with low energy consumption and ensures the production of cobalt as a valuable byproduct. By embracing this method, we enhance the sustainability of hard metal recycling.
Conclusion
In conclusion, recycling hard metals is not just a process, it’s a commitment to a sustainable future. Through the efficient methods of the zinc process and chemical processes, we can transform used hard metals into valuable resources whiIn conclusion, recycling hard metals is not just a process, it’s a commitment to a sustainable future. Through the le minimizing our ecological footprint. By choosing recycling, we embrace a greener tomorrow and pave the way for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world.
Contact
- Raca International BV
- Arnoudstraat 22
- 2182 DZ, Hillegom
- The Netherlands
- +31 (0) 252 22 70 70
- info@raca.nl
Raca International BV is a supplier of replacement nozzles for major brands. The product range includes spray nozzles for the production of powders, produced with high pressure nozzle atomization. All our nozzles are manufactured in our factory with the highest grades of raw material tungsten carbide.
