METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING HIGHLY REACTIVE METALS AND ALLOYS Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: powder metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: method involves providing plasma arc melting of consumable electrode; homogenizing melt and cleaning melt from heavy high melting point particles by heating melt with plasma flow created by recirculating inert gas generated by melting unit; atomizing produced melt by centrifugal force by heating atomizer peripheral surface. Rotational speed of atomizer depending upon predetermined powder particle size is determined from ratio: n=k/(d D). Apparatus has melting chamber whose lower part is made in the form of replaceable water-cooled nozzle formed as truncated cone, electric holder mounted for displacement in vertical plane, atomizing chamber with rotating atomizer, and vessel designed for homogenization and cleaning of melt and equipped with additional plasmotron arranged in atomizing chamber, and compressor. Method and apparatus allow powders-granules of highly reactive metals and alloys to be produced for further employment in aeronautical and aerospace equipment. Powders possess improved chemical homogeneity and are free of high-melting point metals. EFFECT: improved physicomechanical properties of powders and reduced production cost. 3 cl, 1 dwg, 1 ex