Centrifugal atomisation of metallic alloys in inductive plasma onto cooled disc

A novel atomisation process for the production of high purity, fine powders of high melting point metallic alloys has been devised. This process associates centrifugal atomisation and inductive plasma techniques. The experimental equipment is described. Results obtained by atomising nickel base superalloy PER3, Ti-0-17°/oPd alloy, and pure copper on a cooled copper alloy disc are presented. The effects of process parameters, such as the disc rotation speed and the aerodynamic environment of the disc, on the atomised product characteristics, are investigated. The alloys were melted drop by drop onto a water cooled disc. The atomisation of the dripped alloy can be characterised by three mechanisms: ultraquenched flakes and crusts solidified on the disc; spherical droplets formed by centrifugation; spherical droplets formed by aerodynamic erosion.