Metal Powder Production
METAL POWDER PRODUCTION techniques are used to manufacture a wide spectrum of metal powders designed to meet the requirements of a large variety of applications. Powders of virtually all metals can be produced. Various powder production processes allow precise control of the chemical composition and the physical characteristics of powders and allow tailoring of specific attributes for targeted applications. Development and technical innovation in metal powder production processes are constantly pursued to meet the quality, cost, and performance requirements of existing and emerging applications.
Metal powders are produced by mechanical methods or chemical methods as shown in figure (1 & 2). The commonly used methods include water and gas atomization, milling, mechanical alloying, electrolysis, and chemical methods including reduction of oxides.
Suitable methods for powder production depend on required production rates, powder properties, and the physical and chemical properties of thematerial. Chemical and electrolytic methods are useful for producing high-purity powders. Mechanical comminution (or milling) is the most widely used method of powder.
