Studies on the phase formation of cobalt contacted with zinc vapour

Melanie Leitner, Florian Winter, Eva Gerold, Stefan Luidold, Christian Storf, Christoph Czettl, Leo Janka, Teemu Karhumaa, Helmut Antrekowitsch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

In cemented carbides cobalt serves as a binding agent between tungsten carbide grains. The zinc process exhibits an important technique to recycle these materials. The decomposition takes place at temperatures of 900–1000 °C and the role of gaseous zinc in this process is poorly investigated. A specific experimental set-up was used to ensure that only gaseous zinc reacts with solid cobalt. By varying the temperatures, times and Zn:Co ratios, it was possible to ensure the formation of intermetallic phases. According to the binary Co[sbnd]Zn phase diagram, phases of different composition are formed, depending on temperature and pressure. It was found that not all of the indicated phases occur simultaneously, but several do. With the support of the findings from the layer evolution between two solid as well as solid and liquid substances, it is explained which layers may form in the Co[sbnd]Zn system. The multiple phase formation depends on diffusitivity and other factors such as the different melting points, the atomic radii and the occurrence of cracks. Of these, the occurrence of cracks across or between two layers represents the most likely reason.

Original languageEnglish
Article number105877
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials
Volume107.2022
Issue numberSeptember
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 22 Apr 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Elsevier Ltd

Cite this