High Efficient Metal Powder Production by Gas Atomisation Process

The most important parameter for production of fine powders efficiently is the velocity of the atomizing gas. This can be achieved by increasing the pressure, but this way will not be economic. For that reason, to achieve supersonic velocities different nozzle designs are used in close coupled configuration for an efficient atomization. In this study, a new laval type nozzle was designed and manufactured. Using this nozzle tin powder was produced in close coupled system by using nitrogen gas at different operating conditions. The results showed that the increasing the gas pressure up to 1.47 MPa reduced the mean powder size down to 11.39 microns with a gas/melt mass flow rate ratio of 2.0. Powders are spherical in shape and have smooth surfaces.