Preparation of rapidly solidified particulates

Abstract

Normally solid materials, e.g. metals or metal alloys, are provided as solid particulates, and preferably as fine spherical to almost spherical, as well as fiber-like, particulates, including solid particulates of a metallic glassy structure, by contacting a molten stream of the material, which at a temperature within 25 percent of its equilibrium melting point .degree.K. has a surface tension of 10 to 2500 dynes/cm. and a viscosity of 0.001 to 1 poise, preferably from 10.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. above its melting point, with a rapidly moving wall of a centrifugally disposed rotating liquid quench fluid, e.g. water or an oil, etc., in a manner adapted to disrupt the stream with breaking of the stream into molten globules or particles and to quench rapidly those globules or particles into the solid particulates. The produced solid particulates subsequently are separated from the liquid quench fluid and classified to find utility for example in powder metallurgical applications.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.