Device and method for electrochemically processing a material

A device for electrochemical machining of a material which comprises a hard phase and a binder phase, comprising

• (a) an aqueous, alkaline electrolyte, the aqueous, alkaline electrolyte contacting an electrode of a direct current source and being contactable at least in regions with the material which comprises the hard phase and the binder phase;
• and
• (b) the direct current source with a first pole which is connected electrically to the electrode and a second pole which can be connected electrically to the material, the direct current source being adjusted to supply a pulsed electrical current with a specific pulse sequence to the material for electrochemical oxidation of the material;
• wherein the electrolyte comprises a complexing agent which is suitable for complexing at least one metal ion of the binder phase,
• wherein the direct current source is configured to supply the pulsed current in a pulse sequence which is adjusted to the quantity of binder phase in the material to be machined in a manner that sufficient time is provided for the complexing agent in the electrolyte to complex the metal ions produced on the binder phase so that, during the material removal, no product film which could disturb the equilibrium between removal of the hard phase and removal of the binder phase can be formed and a uniform removal of both phases is made possible.