Electrochemical oxidation of the carbide wastes of hard alloys using alternating current

The electrochemical oxidation of the carbide wastes of a W-Co alloy has been studied by gas, electron-probe microanalysis, and X-ray diffraction analyses. The experiments are carried out using halfwave sinusoidal alternating current. It is established that a CO2 + CO mixture forms under such conditions in a gaseous phase in volumetric ratio of 2: 1 and that a tungsten deposit forms in an anode sludge mainly in the form of hydrated tungsten oxide WO2(OH)2. Marketable products are obtained in the form of pure CO3O4 and WO3.