Method of production of metal and ceramic powders by plasma atomization
AssigneesPegasus Refractory Materials, Inc., Hydro-Quebec
InventorsPeter G. Tsantrizos, Fran.cedilla.ois Allaire, Majid Entezarian
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A metal or an alloy thereof, or a ceramic that has a liquid phase is introduced in the form of a rod or a wire or as a liquid stream into the apex formed by a plurality of converging plasma jets. Atomization takes place and upon controlled cooling good quality spheroidal powders are obtained whose size varies generally between about 10 and 300 .mu.m.
Claims20
Method for the production of substantially spheroidal powders of at least one material selected from the group consisting of metals, alloys and ceramics having a liquid phase, which comprises:
- (a) providing a plurality of plasma torches each delivering a jet;
- (b) causing said jets to converge into an apex;
- (c) directing a continuous feed of said at least one material into said apex;
- (d) providing said jets with sufficient kinetic energy in said apex to cause atomization of said at least one material into particles having a particle size of from 10 to 300 .mu.m by said jets;
- (e) controlling cooling of atomized material as it exits from said apex at a rate of at least about 10.sup.3 K/sec. to cause spheroidization of said atomized material and to produce said substantially spheroidal powders.
Method for the production of consolidated shapes of at least one material selected from the group consisting of metals, alloys and ceramics having a liquid phase, which comprises:
- a) providing a plurality of plasma torches each delivering a jet;
- b) causing said jets to converge into an apex;
- c) directing a continuous feed of said at least one material into said apex;
- d) providing said jets with sufficient kinetic energy in said apex to cause atomization of said at least one material into particles having a particle size of from 10 to 300 .mu.m by said jets;
- e) directing said atomized material against a cool substrate to form said consolidated shapes thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.