METHOD OF PRODUCING REFRACTORY MATERIAL POWDER AND DEVICE TO THIS END Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC B22F9/10 

FIELD: process engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to production of refractory metal powders, their alloys, carbides, borides, nitrides, carbonitrides, etc, to be used in fabrication of powder hard-alloy articles and wear-resistant composite coatings. Initial charge of solid loose material of preset composition is heated to 0.4-0.8 of charge fusion temperature and fed into rotary water-cooled crucible to be fused by exciting plasma arc between crucible and cathode of plasma-arc heating source. Fusion is performed in concentration of anode spot of plasma arc on crucible bottom and moving it to crucible lateral surface following the formed melt. Produced melt is sprayed in gas atmosphere in supporting melt layer on crucible lateral surfaces by concentrating anode spot on its edge under action of centrifugal forces with formation of melt drops. Said drops are crystallised in cooling. Proposed device comprises cylindrical chamber with cover accommodating bin with initial charge dispenser communicated with feeder, and plasma generator with its drive. Said chamber houses sprayer made up of rotary water-cooled crucible made from electrically conducting material with heat-insulation insert from material inert to melt material arranged on inner wall and electrically conducting material arranged on crucible bottom, heated initial charge feeder connected, and powder collection bin connected with the chamber at its bottom section.

EFFECT: reduced heat and power losses, higher process efficiency and quality of produced powder.

18 cl, 2 dwg, 2 tbl, 2 ex