Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for granulating a metal melt. The apparatus substantially comprises a round water tank, into which water is injected in a tangential direction with the aid of a number of nozzles, so that the water in the tank rotates and forms a parabolic surface. The nozzles are arranged such that they are distributed in height and around the circumference of the tank wall. The uppermost nozzle is located in the region of the surface of the water and produces a stream of water or fan of water lying in the surface of the water. For granulating a metal melt, it is poured continuously from a melting crucible into the stream of water or fan of water of the uppermost nozzle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing iron-based powder includes providing an iron-based molten steel manufactured through a iron making process and a steelmaking process to a tundish; and performing water atomization over the molten steel discharged through a nozzle connected to the tundish. The iron-based powder is manufactured from the molten steel refined after a molten iron tapped from a iron making process is charged into a converter without a pre-treatment process of the molten iron, thus economically providing the highly clean iron-based powder.

Abstract: High compressibility iron powder that is suitably used for parts with excellent magnetic characteristics or high density sintered parts and that has good productivity is provided from pure iron powder which includes, as impurities in percent by mass, C: 0.005% or less, Si: more than 0.01% and 0.03% or less, Mn: 0.03% or more and 0.07% or less, P: 0.01% or less, S: 0.01% or less, O: 0.10% or less, and N: 0.001% or less, and whose particle includes four or less crystal grains on average and has a micro Vickers hardness (Hv) of 80 or less on average. The circularity of the iron powder is preferably 0.7 or more.

Abstract: A metal powder manufacturing device for manufacturing a metal powder includes a feed for supplying a molten metal, a fluid spout unit, and a course modification unit. The fluid spout unit further includes a channel and an orifice. The channel is provided below the feed, allowing passing of the molten metal supplied from the feed. The orifice is opened at a bottom end of the channel, spouting a fluid into the channel. The above course modification unit is provided below the fluid spout unit, and forcibly changes the traveling direction of a dispersion liquid. This dispersion liquid is composed of multiple fine droplets dispersed into the fluid. The above droplets are a resultant of a breakup caused by a contact between the molten metal and the fluid ejected from the orifice. Here, the dispersion liquid is transported so that the droplets is cooled and solidified in the dispersion liquid in order to manufacture the metal powder.

Abstract: The invention concerns a new pre alloyed steel powder comprising in addition to iron and inevitable impurities, by wt %, 1.3-1.7% by weight of Cr, 0.15-0.3% by weight of Mo, 0.09-0.3% by weight of Mn, not larger than 0.01 by weight of C, not larger than 0.25% of O.

Abstract: An atomizer includes a T-shaped chamber with tapered insides and an outlet which is in communication with the chamber. A first path is located in a center area in the chamber so as to introduce molten metal therein and two second paths are introduced into the chamber so as to send inert gas into the chamber. A separator is located in the chamber and located at an outlet end of the first path. A narrow passage is defined between an inside of the outlet and the separator. The impact of the inert gas and the molten metal atomizes the metal.

Abstract: The present invention provides water atomized copper powder comprising substantially irregular shaped copper particles having at least a median D50 particle size of from about 10 ?m to about 50 ?m. The powders of the present invention are suitable for use in electrically conductive compositions, such as copper-based adhesives. The present invention also provides methods of making these copper powders.

Abstract: A process of producing a zinc or zinc alloy powder (4) for batteries which comprises dropping molten zinc or a molten zinc alloy to form a molten metal droplets stream (1) and striking an atomizing medium jet (3) emitted from a nozzle (2) against the molten metal stream (1) at right angles to atomize the molten zinc or the molten zinc alloy, wherein two or more the nozzles are arranged in parallel to each other, the orifice of each of the nozzles has a V-shaped, U-shaped, X-shaped or arc-shaped cross-section, the atomizing medium is air or an inert gas, two or more the molten metal streams have at least two different flow rates selected from a range 0.04 to 0.25 kg/sec, and two or more the atomizing medium jets have at least two different atomizing pressures selected from a range 4 to 9 kg/cm2.

Abstract: Process and a device for producing metal powders from molten metal. The process includes the provision of molten metal in a metallurgical vessel having a nozzle element, the nozzle element being directed into an atomization chamber associated with the metallurgical vessel. The molten metal is allowed to flow through the nozzle element of the metallurgical vessel into the atomization chamber whereby a molten metal stream is fed into the atomization chamber. At least three successive gas beams are directed at the molten metal stream inside the atomization chamber, the at least three gas beams being oriented in different directions. Thereby the molten metal stream is broken down into droplets which subsequently freeze into grains that are collected.

Abstract: A powder metallurgical process of preparing a sheet from a powder having an intermetallic alloy composition such as an iron, nickel or titanium aluminide. The sheet can be manufactured into electrical resistance heating elements having improved room temperature ductility, electrical resistivity, cyclic fatigue resistance, high temperature oxidation resistance, low and high temperature strength, and/or resistance to high temperature sagging. The iron aluminide has an entirely ferritic microstructure which is free of austenite and can include, in weight %, 4 to 32% Al, and optional additions such as ≦1% Cr, ≧0.05% Zr ≦2% Ti, ≦2% Mo, ≦1% Ni, ≦0.75% C, ≦0.1% B, ≦1% submicron oxide particles and/or electrically insulating or electrically conductive covalent ceramic particles, ≦1% rare earth metal, and/or ≦3 % Cu.

Abstract: An atomizing method for producing metal powder, including splitting molten metal in the vicinity of an exit of a nozzle by introducing the molten metal into a center of the nozzle, wherein gas is flowing through the nozzle. The split molten metal is then further split into fine particles by liquid ejected in an inverse cone shaped flow from a slit surrounding a lower side of the nozzle. The resulting powder is of fine size and spherical or granular shape, and is suitable for metal injection shaping.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing atomized metal powder in an atomization plant comprising a casting box, a reactor vessel, a powder container and sedimentation equipment. The production process takes place with controlled thermal balance. The invention also relates to an atomization plant, atomized metal powder and the use of the metal powder as coolant in the manufacture of steel.

Abstract: A method of producing coated powder material is provided. In the method, molten metal or metal alloy is caused to fall in a stream (3) and is then atomized into a spray. A liquid or solid material of different composition is introduced and caused to contact the stream or spray so that a coating is formed over all or part of the surface of the atomized droplets. The coating may be the introduced material or a reaction product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for atomizing a liquid stream of metal or metal alloy. This invention relates to producing powders as well as to spray deposition process. During atomizing, a backpressure is created below the exit of the liquid delivery nozzle by the impingement of the atomization gas jets around the atomization zone. And this may block further atomization. The present invention provides a method of atomizing and an atomizing apparatus to control the backpressure. During atomizing, the intensities and directions of the atomization gas jets affects the atomization characteristics. The present invention provides a method of atomizing and an atomizing apparatus to control both the intensities and directions of the atomization gas jets.

Abstract: An economical process and associated hardware for commercial manufacture of controllable submicrometer size metallic powders for electronic and other applications. The method is based on the preparation of a stable high concentration precursor solution, production of a high density aerosol mist of the precursor solutions, selection of mist droplets with upper and lower size bounds, controlled drying of the droplets, their conversion to metallic powder in a high temperature gaseous atmosphere and the separation of the powders from carrier gases without significant loss inside the process hardware.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a powder for sendust core is disclosed which is used in power supplies, converters and invertors, and in which the sendust powder is manufactured by applying the atomizing process, and the powder is coated with a special ceramic mixture insulator, so that the core loss would be small after forming a product. The method for manufacturing the powder for a sendust core includes the steps of: preparing a sendust alloy melt composed of (in wt %) 4-13% of Si, 4-7% of Al, and balance of Fe under an inert atmosphere; spouting water with a pressure of 1500-3500 psi to a flow of said sendust alloy melt through four or more nozzles having a diameter of 10-20 mm, so as to form a relatively regular polyhedral powder; adding 0.1-1.0 wt % of kaoline to the powder, and heat-treating it at a temperature of 700.degree.-850.degree. C. for 30 minutes or more under a reducing atmosphere; and carrying out a wet coating on the heat-treated powder by using 0.

Abstract: A method of producing coated powder material is provided. In the method, molten metal or metal alloy is caused to fall in a stream (3) and is then atomized into a spray. A liquid or solid material of different composition is introduced and caused to contact the stream or spray so that a coating is formed over all or part of the surface of the atomized droplets. The coating may be the introduced material or a reaction product.

Abstract: Close-coupled atomization methods employing non-axisymmetric fluid flow geometries have demonstrated superior efficiency in the production of fine superalloy powder, such as, for example, nickel base superalloys compared to conventional close-coupled atomization utilizing an axisymmetric gas orifice and an axisymmetric melt nozzle. It is believed that the principal physical mechanisms leading to non-axisymmetric atomization system fine powder yield improvement are atomization plume spreading, the at least lessening of the melt pinch down at the interaction point between the atomization liquid and the liquid melt and improved melt film formation at the melt guide tube tip. The greatest fine powder yield improvement occurred when the non-axisymmetric atomization systems are operated with atomization parameters that result in the formation of multiple atomization plumes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing metal powders which is less likely permit variations in cooling rate, ensures rapid solidification at a great cooling rate and readily gives fine particles, and a production apparatus for the method. The method comprises injecting a cooling liquid into a cooling tubular body (1) along an inner peripheral surface thereof to form a cooling liquid layer (9) moving toward a cooling liquid discharge end of the tubular body (1) while swirling along the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body (1); supplying a molten metal (25) to a space (23) inside the cooling liquid layer (9); applying a gas jet (26) as directed toward the cooling liquid layer (9) to the molten metal (25) to divide the molten metal and supply the divided molten metal to the cooling liquid layer (9); and discharging the cooling liquid containing a metal powder solidified in the liquid layer (9) from the cooling liquid discharge end of the tubular body (1) to outside.

Abstract: A cooling liquid is injected into and supplied to a cooling tubular body along its inner periphery to form a cooling liquid layer flowing down the inner peripheral surface of the body while revolving. A molten metal is then injected into the cooling liquid layer from the inner peripheral side thereof to divide, rapidly cool and solidify the stream of molten metal with the cooling liquid layer and obtain a metal powder. Since the metal powder is continuously obtained upon flowing down the tubular body along with the cooling liquid, the liquid can be continuously removed from the powder by suitable means, and the power can be subsequently dried continuously.

Abstract: There is disclosed a molten metal-atomizing apparatus which prevents the formation of a blocking in an ultra-high pressure atomizing of molten metal, and can produce finer metal powder. A vertical distance from the position of occurrence of a primary atomizing effect to a lower end of a jet injection port of a nozzle is 40% to 85% of a vertical distance from the lower end of the injection port to the position of intersection of jets.

Abstract: Metal and metal alloy preforms having closed cell, spherical porosity are spray formed at high deposition rates by introducing blowing agents into the thixotropic semisolid deposition layer, within which gas formed in thermal decomposition reactions are trapped. Density reductions of nearly 30% were generated in a phosphor bronze matrix, using barium carbonate as the blowing agent. Hollow glass particles were produced in the same matrix alloy by injection of microsphere precursor frit containing sulfur. A simple Newtonian heat transfer model of agent heating in the spray predicts agent/matrix compatibility. Along with modest improvements in damping capacity, tensile and compressive properties were found to be equal or superior to powder metallurgy product at the same porosity levels.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for atomizing a liquid to form a fine powder. The method includes the steps of mixing the liquid with a first fluid medium jet and projecting this first fluid medium jet into a barrier means which comprises a solid body or a second fluid medium jet projected by a nozzle in a direction substantially opposite to the first fluid medium jet. The first fluid medium jet containing fine particles diverges away from the barrier means, thus increasing contact surface between the first fluid medium jet and the liquid and increasing the intermixing therebetween.

Abstract: A stabilizer for use in a blast hole drilling has a shaft connectable at each end to a drill string. A plurality of individual bushings are axially spaced along the shaft, and each bushing carries a roller reamer rotatable thereon. Each bushing has its inner bore eccentrically positioned relative to its outer surface, and each bushing is mounted to the shaft so that its major eccentricity is angularly offset from that of the other bushings. In this manner, large diameter roller reamers can be used and the rotational speed thereof is reduced thereby reducing wear and increasing life. There are sufficient rollers such that the stabilizer is centrally supported in the drill hole and will not waver as it rotates.