Abstract: A mass of normally solid material, e.g. metal or metal alloy, which at a temperature within 25 percent of its equilibrium melting point .degree.K has a surface tension of 10 to 2500 dynes/cm. and a viscosity of 0.001 to 1 poise, is changed into fine solid particulates, preferably flake-like to almost spherical shape. A solid mass of the material has a portion thereof, e.g. tip or edge, unconfined by a crucible or the like, heated, such as by a flame or electron beam to alter that portion to a molten state whereby molten droplets or globules fall therefrom to contact a rapidly moving wall of a centrifugally disposed rotating liquid quench fluid, e.g. water or oil, and upon contacting are disrupted and broken up into finer globules or particles which are swept away with and quenched in the rapidly moving quench fluid to become rapidly solidified as fine particulates.