Atomization Capabilities
Gas Atomizer
The HERMIGA 75/5 VI atomizer manufactured by Phoenix Scientific Industries Ltd can produce metal powders for different applications including additive manufacturing. It is designed to process small batch sizes for testing new powder compositions and size distributions.
The unique “close-coupled” atomization die/guide tube configuration allows the production of high-quality spherical powders with particle sizes ranging from 10 to 100 microns.
The equipment is designed to control the pressure in the melt chamber, minimizing the metal flow rate change. This stabilizes the gas metal ratios narrowing the particle size distribution.
The design of a vacuum-gas management system provides the desired low levels of oxygen or required levels for passivating gas to enable the safe operation of the equipment during the processing high reactive metals.
Technical features:
- Melting capacity: 5 Kg of steel/ 2Kg of Al alloy
- Atomizing gas types: Argon, helium, nitrogen
- Metal types: Aluminum, lead, nickel, cobalt, iron, copper, gold, silver, palladium, magnesium, zinc
- Melting temperature: Up to 1700 °C
- Particle size: Median sizes can be controlled to lie in the range 10 to 100 um.
Particle Size Analyzer
The knowledge of the particle size and particle size distribution of the produced powder at the AAF is essential for quality control and product development. The Particle Size Analyzer PSA 990 L manufactured by Anton Paar and located at the AAF uses laser diffraction technology to measure the particle size distribution for powders within a range of 0.2 to 500 microns.
Technical features:
- Measurement principle: Laser diffraction
- Measuring range: 0.2 μm to 500 μm
- Liquid dispersion: 2 peristaltic pumps/ultrasonic transducer/stirrer
- Repeatability: <1 %
- Accuracy: <3 %
Hi-Sifter
Metal powders after production must be separated based on the difference in their sizes to get the desired size range, depending on their final application. The AAF houses a hi-sifter machine model FS-UC 401 manufactured by ELCAN Industries. This is a specialized “high energy” equipment for powder separation by sieving that uses a high energy spectrum vibration that translates to high rates of efficiencies and high performance even for sieving fine powders (less than 20 microns). It is also designed to work with an inert gas atmosphere for sieving potentially explosive powders.
Technical features:
- Sieving range: 10-150 μm
- Screening efficiency: Higher than 80%
- Screening rate: Higher than 150 lb/h