Factors Affecting the Dissolution Behavior of Metals from Binary Alloys

The strategy of recovering metals from scrap is in general much different from primary sources. One of the main differences between the treatment of scrap and that of primary sources lies with the fact that metals are frequently associated with other met-als to form alloys in scrap, while metals occur in primary sources as oxides or sulfides. In this paper, factors affecting the dis-solution behavior of metals from various alloy systems have been reviewed and discussed. Specific examples have been drawn from Au/Ag, Au/cu and Ag/cu systems. Results of the dissolution behavior of various metals from these alloys have been reviewed and compared to the dissolution behavior of single metal systems in various lixiviants such as acids, cyanide and ammonia. It has been observed that the presence of other metals in alloys would significantly affect the dissolution rate of the metal in question. The leaching behavior of metals from homogeneous alloys relies on the chemical interaction between atoms in the lattice of the alloys, while that from heterogeneous alloys is affected by galvanic interaction established in the solution The manner in which the dissolution of a certain metal is influenced by surrounding metals has been discussed in terms of pas-sive and noble nature of the metal in relation to the neighboring metals. The role of the standard electrochemical Potential of these metals on the selective dissolution for a given lixiviant has also been discussed.