Treatment of melt for atomization technology

Abstract

An improved method of manufacturing a powder metal material by water, gas, plasma, or rotating disk atomization is provided. The method includes adding at least one additive to a melted metal material before or during the atomization process. The at least one additive forms a protective gas atmosphere surrounding the melted metal material which is at least three times greater than the volume of melt to be treated. The protective atmosphere prevents introduction or re-introduction of contaminants, such as sulfur (S) and oxygen (O2), into the material. The atomized particles produced include at least one of the following advantages: median circularity of at least 0.60, median roundness of at least 0.60, less internal pores, less internal oxides, and an increased sphericity of the microstructural phases and/or constituents.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.