Gas Atomization of Low Melting-Point Metal Powders
Monnapas Morakotjinda, Kittichai Fakpan, Thanyaporn Yotkaew, Nattaya Tosangthum, Rungthip Krataithon* Author for corresponding; e-mail address: sayanm@mtec.or.th
Volume :Vol.37 No.1 (JANUARY 2010)
Research Article
DOI:
Received: 1 March 2009, Revised: -, Accepted: 27 April 2009, Published: -
Citation: Morakotjinda M., Fakpan K., Yotkaew T., Tosangthum N. and Krataithon R., Gas Atomization of Low Melting-Point Metal Powders, Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 2010; 37(1): 55-63.
Abstract
A pilot-scale gas atomizer, with capacity of 35 kilograms of metal charge/batch, was developed for producing low melting-point metal powders. Its components such as structure, melting furnace, nozzle system, atomizing chamber, powder collector and cyclone, were designed and assembled. The gas atomizer had been tested experimentally by productions of tin and tin alloy (Babbitt metal) powders. Tin and tin alloy (Babbitt metal) powders had been produced experimentally with varied processing factors such as nozzle design, melt flow, atomizing gas pressure and melt superheat. Yield, particle size and microstructure of the powders were analyzed. Particle size distribution of the powders was compared to a mean particle size calculated by using Lubanska’s equation. It was found that the calculated mean particle size was closer to the experimental one when a constant K of Lubanska’s equation was varied. Microstructures of tin and tin alloy powders indicated that solidification phenomena occurred via nucleation and growth.