Sub-micron particles of rare earth and transition metals and alloys, including rare earth magnet materials
AssigneeUrban Mining Technology Company
InventorsMiha ZAKOTNIK, Davide PROSPERI, Gojmir FURLAN, Catalina O. TUDOR, Alex Ivor BEVAN
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Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to methods of preparing substantially spherical metallic alloyed particles, having micron and sub-micron (i.e., nanometer)-scaled dimensions, and the powders so prepared, as well as articles derived from these powders. In particular embodiments, these metallic alloyed particles, comprising rare earth metals, can be prepared in sizes as small 80 nm in diameter with size variances as low as 2-5%.
Claims29
A composition comprising a plurality of substantially spherical particles of a metal or metallic alloy, the particles having a mean particle size in a range of 80 um to 500 microns, each particle comprising at least one rare earth element in an amount in a range of from about 0 wt % or 10 wt % to about 99 wt %, relative to the total weight of the particle.
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A method comprising:
- (a) impinging at least one inert fluid stream having a velocity of 0.2-10.5 km/sec onto a stream of a molten/liquid metallic alloy under appropriate conditions so as to produce a dispersion of substantially spherical solid particles of the metallic alloy within the inert fluid stream, the particles having a mean particle size in a range of 80 nm to 500 microns, wherein the at least one inert fluid stream comprises nitrogen, argon, helium, hydrogen, or a mixture thereof;
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- (b) optionally separating the substantially spherical solid particles of the metallic alloy are separated from the inert fluid stream by gravity.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.