metal atomization Manufacturers

Přehled o Atomizace kovů

Metal atomization is a process where molten metal is broken into fine droplets using gas or liquid that is forced at high velocity. The droplets rapidly solidify into powder with a spherical or round morphology ideal for additive manufacturing or metal injection molding.

Atomization produces consistent powder sizes ranging from 10 microns to 200+ microns based on the nozzle design and operating pressures. Nitrogen, argon or air is typically used for gas atomization while water is common in liquid atomization.

Typy Atomizace kovů Procesy

Proces	Střední	Velikost částic	Kovy
Atomizace plynu	Dusík, argon	10-100 μm	Titan, hliník, nerezová ocel
Vacuum Atomization	Dusík, argon	10-63 μm	Nickel superalloys, titanium aluminide
Atomizace vody	Voda	100-350 μm	Low alloy steel, stainless steel

Technické specifikace

Parametr	Podrobnosti
Rychlost výroby	1-20 metric tons per hour
Tlak plynu	Up to 35 bar
Přehřátí taveniny	100-250°C above liquidus
Powder yield	60-95% depends on metal
Rychlost chlazení	10^3 to 10^6 °C/s

Aplikace z Rozprašované kovové prášky

Some uses of atomized powders include:

• 3D Printing powders for SLM and DMLS
• Metal Injection Molding (MIM) feedstock
• Tepelně stříkané povlaky
• Production of sintered parts
• Brazing pastes or joining applications
• Chemical/petroleum catalytic converters

Global metal atomizer manufacturer

Společnost	Umístění
AP&C	Kanada
Praxair	USA
Sandvik	Švédsko
Mattersmith	Čína
Phoenix Scientific Industries	Indie

Leading Manufacturers of Atomized Metal Powders

Společnost	Materiály
Sandvik	Nickel, titanium, stainless steel alloys
Přísada pro tesaře	Titanium alloys, cobalt chrome, stainless steels
Technologie LPW	Aluminum, titanium, copper alloys
EOS	Tool steel, cobalt chrome, inconel, titanium alloys
AP&C	Reactive metals like titanium, aluminum grades

Úvahy o nákladech

A gas atomization system with capacity of 500-1000 kg/hour costs around $2-4 million depending on complexity, metal type, level of automation and additional powder handling equipment. Payback period can vary from less than 2 years to 5+ years depending on scale of production.

Atomized powder pricing depends on composition, quality level, lot quantity, reuse status and prevailing raw material costs. For instance, virgin titanium Ti64 grade 5 powder of size 45-100 microns suitable for 3D printing sells for $200-500 per kg.

Advantages of Atomization

• Consistent spherical powder morphology beneficial for AM and MIM applications
• Cost-effective high volume powder production with minimal scrap losses
• Custom alloys and powder characteristics achievable
• Powder fully recyclable for reuse in most applications
• Rapid cooling gives fine microstructures and controlled powder sizes

Omezení

• High capital investment for turnkey atomization production systems
• Additional powder sieving, blending or modification required
• Limited size range and high reactivity restricts some alloys
• Safety issues like dust explosivity must be addressed

FAQ

Q: What is the difference between gas and water atomized powders?

A: Gas atomized powders are finer (<100 μm), more spherical and smoother than irregular, coarser water atomized powders but gas atomization systems have higher setup costs.

Q: Which industries consume the major share of atomized metal powders?

A: Over 60% of fine atomized powders are estimated to be used in metal additive manufacturing processes like selective laser sintering, laser melting and binder jetting.

Q: What is vacuum induction melting used for prior to atomization?

A: Vacuum induction melting allows melting reactive alloys like titanium or stainless steel under inert conditions preventing contamination which is critical for producing clean high purity atomized powders.

Q: Does post-processing further modify properties of atomized powders?

A: Yes, additional steps like thermal annealing, hot isostatic pressing, plasma spheroidization, sieving or mixing are performed to tailor particle size distribution, flowability, density or composition characteristics as needed for downstream processes.

Q: How is powder reuse economical for atomization process?

A: Atomized powders can cost anywhere from $20 per kg for steel to $500 per kg for exotic alloys. Capturing and reusing overflows and used build powders from AM machines using screening, thermal vacuuming, etc. lowers overall operating costs.

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