Thermal oxidation behavior of WC-Co hard metal machining tool tip scraps

► Isothermal oxidation of WC-Co hard metal scrap discarded after industrial use. ► Mechanical fragmentation of WC-Co tool tip scrap increases its oxidation rate. ► The oxidation kinetics of WC-Co scraps depends on the presence of CrAlN coating. ► Large volume expansion due to porous microstructure and CO/CO2 gas production.