ON THE RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF ALLOY POWDERS

Melt atomization is almost only the production method of alloy powders and has come into use for various spray-form types due to their P/M applications. P/M materials are usually qualified by both alloy design and powder characteristics for the P/M industrial use, especially in the production of high alloy powders. Extensive merits reducing chemical segregation, refining crystal grain and precipitates, producing supersaturated or amorphous solid solutions for alloy design can be obtained by applying these powders. Typical atomization methods (water-, gas- and centrifugal atomization) are reviewed in terms of their principles, operation parameters, the related powder morphologies together with P/M applications. © 1990, The Japan Institute of Metals. All rights reserved.