The zinc melting process transforms "industrial waste" into "recycled raw materials." The zinc melting process is based on the principle that zinc and cobalt can form a low‑melting‑point alloy. At 900–1050°C, molten zinc penetrates into the scrap cemented carbide and reacts with the cobalt binder phase, thereby breaking down the alloy structure and causing the tungsten carbide (WC) skeleton to disintegrate. Subsequently, the zinc is removed by distillation under high vacuum