Atomization into a chamber held at reduced pressure

In a process for the production of metal powder by atomization of a molten metal stream in which a gaseous medium is impinged there against, the improvement which comprises reducing the gas entrapment of the metal powder produced by conducting the atomization process at a subatmospheric pressure of about 0.5 bar (0.05 M Pa) or below during the atomization period in which said gaseous medium impinges against said molten metal stream and maintaining said subatmospheric pressure at said level until the process is substantially complete.