PLASMA ATOMIZATION - A NEW PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FINE, SPHERICAL POWDERS

A new atomization process, plasma atomization (P.A.), has been develop ed to produce fine, spherical powders. Unlike conventional high-pressu re atomizers, P.A. utilizes multiple nontransferred direct-current arc plasmas to accelerate the atomization gas. In the P.A. process, metal wires are fed into the apex of the multiple plasmas, where they melt and are atomized in a single step. This process offers the unique abil ity to produce spherical powders of reactive metals with atypical aver age particle size of 40 mu m.