Abstract: An apparatus and a method destined for the production of metal powder, wherein inert gas, especially argon is admixed to a metal melt rising in a riser, thereby forming a metal froth which is pressurized likewise by inert gas, especially argon of high pressure in a pulverization chamber, at the same time, forming metal droplets. These are displaced from the pulverization chamber by the gas blown into the same, to enter an expansion chamber in the form of a collecting vessel, the metal droplets being accelerated in the passage from the pulverization chamber to the collecting vessel, at the same time, forming the finest metal powder.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing moulded blanks by hot-pressing metal powder, preferably spherical metal powder, inside a thin-walled capsule comprising an outer sleeve (2), an insertion sleeve (4) disposed approximately centerally inside the latter, a base (3) and a cover (5), inside which one separable mould (1) of solid material may be inserted. The mould (1) and the two sleeves (2, 4) are dimensioned in such a way that between the inner insertion sleeve (4) and the mould (1) there is formed a mould cavity into which the metal powder may be poured. After the metal powder is poured in, the still open capsule is subjected to a preliminary compression by means of vibration. The capsule is subsequently closed in a gas-tight manner by means of the cover (5). Then the metal powder inside the capsule is subjected to a heat-isostatic pressing at an elevated pressure and an elevated temperature of approximately 1000.degree. to 1200.degree. C.