Apparatus and method for clean, rapidly solidified alloys
AssigneeATI Properties, Inc.
InventorsRobin M. Forbes Jones, Richard L. Kennedy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles.
Claims21
A method of forming one of a powder and a solid preform, the method comprising:
- producing at least one of a stream of molten alloy and a series of droplets of molten alloy in a melting assembly;
- generating particles of the molten alloy by impinging at least one three-dimensional linear electron field on the at least one of a stream of molten alloy and the series of droplets of molten alloy to atomize the molten alloy and produce the molten alloy particles;
- and
- collecting the molten alloy particles as one of a powder and a solid preform.
A method of processing a molten alloy comprising:
- providing at least one of a stream of molten alloy and droplets of molten alloy;
- directing the at least one of a stream of molten alloy and droplets of molten alloy into a flow path;
- generating electrons from at least one electron beam emitter;
- directing the electrons to provide at least one three-dimensional linear electron field;
- and
- projecting the at least one three-dimensional linear electron field into the flow path of the molten alloy, wherein the electrons impinge on the molten alloy and produce molten alloy particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.