Method for suppressing the leachability of certain metals like tungsten and lead

摘要

The interaction of Sn, Sb and Pb with tungsten in contact with an aqueous medium has a synergistic effect in which the leachability of each metal is suppressed. This means that tungsten has the ability to suppress the leachability of these same metals, in particular lead. For example, tungsten may be added to the lead-contaminated soil in order to suppress lead contamination of the ground water by forming lead tungstate which has a very low solubility. The method may also be useful in processing tungsten powder and protecting tungsten metal powder compacts.