How the Gas Atomization Process Works

Overview

Gas atomization is a metal powder production method that uses high-velocity inert gas jets to disintegrate a molten metal stream into fine spherical powder particles. The gas atomization process achieves excellent control over powder particle size distribution, morphology, purity, and microstructure.

Key attributes of gas-atomized powder include spherical particle shape, high purity, fine sizes down to 10 microns, and uniform composition. Gas atomization facilitates advanced powder-based manufacturing techniques like metal injection molding, additive manufacturing, and powder metallurgy pressing and sintering.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the gas atomization process and powder. It covers atomization methods, particle formation, process parameters, equipment, applicable alloys, powder characteristics, product specifications, applications, and suppliers. Helpful comparison tables are included to summarize technical details.

How the Gas Atomization Process Works

Gas atomization converts molten alloy into powder using the following fundamental steps:

Gas Atomization Process Stages

• Melting – Alloy is melted in an induction furnace and superheated above its liquidus temperature
• Pouring – Molten metal stream poured into an atomization chamber
• Atomization – High velocity inert gas jets disintegrate the metal into fine droplets
• Solidification – Metal droplets rapidly solidify into powder particles as they fall through the chamber
• Collection – Powder particles collected in a cyclone separator at bottom of tower

The key phenomenon occurs when the kinetic energy of the gas jets overcomes the metal’s surface tension to shear the liquid stream into droplets. These droplets freeze into powder particles with spherical morphology.

Careful process control allows tailored powder particle sizes, purity, and microstructures.

Methods of Gas Atomization

There are two primary methods of gas atomization used in industry:

Gas Atomization Methods

Close-coupled designs recycle the atomizing gas but risk some melt oxidation. Free-fall offers cleaner atmosphere with less risk of nozzle reaction.

Additional variants include multiple gas nozzles, ultrasonic atomization, centrifugal atomization, and coaxial nozzle designs for specialized applications.

Gas Atomization Nozzle Designs

Various nozzle designs create the high velocity gas jets needed for atomization:

Gas Atomization Nozzle Types

De Laval nozzles use gas acceleration to supersonic velocities but have complex geometry. Sonic nozzles with simplified shapes offer more flexibility.

Smaller droplets and tightly controlled size distribution are achieved by using multiple micro-nozzles or slit configurations.

Powder Formation and Solidification

The shearing of molten metal into droplets and subsequent solidification follow distinct mechanisms:

Powder Formation Stages

• Breakup – Rayleigh jet instability causes perturbations and droplet formation
• Distortion – Droplets elongate into ligaments due to air drag forces
• Rupture – Ligaments breakdown into droplets close to final size
• Solidification – Rapid cooling via gas contact and radiation forms solid particles
• Deceleration – Loss of velocity as particles move down through atomization chamber

The combined effects of surface tension, turbulence, and air drag determine final particle sizes and morphology. Maximum particle cooling rates over 1,000,000 °C/s quench metastable phases.

Process Parameters

Key gas atomization process parameters include:

Gas Atomization Process Parameters

Balancing these parameters allows control of powder particle size, shape, production rate, and other characteristics.

Alloy Systems for Gas Atomization

Gas atomization can process almost any alloy into powder form including:

Alloys Suitable for Gas Atomization

• Titanium alloys
• Nickel superalloys
• Cobalt superalloys
• Stainless steels
• Tool steels
• Low alloy steels
• Iron and nickel base alloys
• Precious metals
• Intermetallics

Gas atomization requires melting temperatures below the decomposition point of the atomizing gas. Typical gases include argon, nitrogen, and helium.

Refractory alloys with very high melting points like tungsten can be challenging to atomize and often require specialized processing.

Most alloys require melt superheating well above the liquidus temperature to maintain sufficient fluidity for atomization into finely dispersed droplets.

Characteristics of Gas Atomized Powder

Typical characteristics of gas atomized powder:

Gas Atomized Powder Characteristics

The spherical shape and adjustable size distribution facilitate usage in secondary powder consolidation processes. Tight control over oxygen and chemistry enables high performance alloys.

Specifications for Gas Atomized Powders

International standard specifications help define:

• Particle size distribution
• Apparent density ranges
• Hall flow rates
• Acceptable oxygen and nitrogen levels
• Allowable microstructure and porosity
• Chemical composition limits
• Sampling procedures

This supports quality control and reproducible powder behavior.

Specifications for Gas Atomized Powders

Specifications are tailored to critical application requirements in aerospace, automotive, medical, and other quality-driven industries.

Applications of Gas Atomized Powder

Gas atomized powders enable manufacturing of high performance components via:

• Metal Injection Molding (MIM)
• Additive Manufacturing (AM)
• Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP)
• Powder Forging
• Thermal and Cold Spray
• Powder Metallurgy Pressing and Sintering

Benefits versus wrought materials:

• Complex geometries with fine features
• Excellent mechanical properties
• Near full density consolidation
• Novel and customized alloys
• Range of material options

Gas atomization excels at producing spherical, flowing powders optimal for automated processing of intricate components with high quality standards across industries.

Global Suppliers of Gas Atomized Powders

Prominent global suppliers of gas atomized powders include:

Gas Atomized Powder Manufacturers

Smaller regional suppliers also offer gas atomized powders, often servicing niche alloys or applications.

Many providers also undertake sieving, blending, coating, and other powder post-processing operations.

Advantages vs. Limitations of Gas Atomization

Gas Atomization – Pros and Cons

The spherical shape and fine sizes of gas atomized powder provide distinct advantages but come at a higher operational cost versus simpler mechanical comminution processes.

Selecting Gas Atomized Powder

Key aspects when selecting gas atomized powder:

• Desired chemistry and alloy composition
• Target particle size distribution
• Suitable apparent and tap density ranges
• Oxygen and nitrogen limits dictated by application
• Flow characteristics for automated powder handling
• Sampling procedures to ensure representativeness
• Vendor technical expertise and customer service
• Total cost considerations

Testing prototype builds helps qualify new alloys and gas atomized powders for an application. Collaborating closely with the powder producer enables optimization.

FAQ

What is the smallest particle size that gas atomization can produce?

Specialized nozzles can produce single-digit micron powder down to 1-5 microns. However, ultrafine powder has very low apparent density and exhibits strong interparticle Van der Waals forces, requiring careful handling.

What causes powder satellites during gas atomization?

Satellites form when droplets are too large or collide and partially rejoin before fully solidifying. Higher superheat, lower pour rates, and increased separation distance all help reduce satellites.

Why is high purity inert gas required for gas atomization?

High velocity gas jets can erode metal from the nozzle over time and contaminate powder. Reactive gases like nitrogen and oxygen also negatively affect powder purity and alloy performance.

How does gas atomization compare to water atomization?

Water atomization produces more irregular powder at larger sizes of 50-150 microns typically. Gas atomization allows finer sizes down to 10 microns with spherical morphologies preferred for pressing and sintering applications.

What is centrifugal atomization?

In centrifugal atomization, molten metal is poured into a spinning disk that throws off fine molten metal droplets that solidify into powder. This method offers higher production rates than gas atomization but reduced powder size and shape control.

Can you switch alloys quickly during gas atomization?

Yes, with specialized equipment the melt stream can be changed rapidly to produce composite and alloyed powders. However, cross-contamination between alloys should be minimized through chamber purging.

Conclusion

The gas atomization process produces spherical, flowing metallic powders with tightly controlled particle size distribution, purity, and microstructural characteristics optimal for advanced powder consolidation processes across critical applications. Careful manipulation of process parameters and specialized nozzle designs allow extensive control over final powder characteristics. With continued development, gas atomization provides engineers greater ability to manufacture high-performance components in creative new ways.

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