Microstructure and mechanical properties of cemented carbides recycled by a novel recovery process

Hardmetal (HM) sector faces growing supply risks due to the criticality of tungsten (W) and cobalt (Co), the main components of WC–Co cemented carbides. To reduce dependence on raw material suppliers, recycling HM waste is becoming increasingly important, and sustainable recovery processes are being developed to meet both environmental regulations and industrial demands. The properties of HMs are strongly influenced by microstructural features such as WC grain size, binder content, and possible residual phases, which are not always easy to control in new recycling systems. In this study, WC–Co samples were produced entirely from recycled scraps through an oxidation–reduction–carburization treatment combined with eco-friendly leaching based on organic acids. Microstructural analysis and mechanical tests showed that the recycling process does not significantly affect the main microstructural parameters or the mechanical performance, apart from minor differences in WC grain morphology. These results demonstrate that fully recycled WC–Co HMs can achieve quality standards comparable to conventional materials.