Assessing of powder-like components of powder electrodes quality of mixing

Abstract

A method for assessing the quality of mixing powder components of different granulations and technological properties in the production of powder electrode materials is proposed. To obtain high-quality powder electrode materials that provide the required chemical composition in the weld metal, careful preparation of the powder components mixture is necessary, for proper preparation of the components will make it possible to obtain their uniform distribution in the shell of the powder electrode. Preparing a mixture of powdered components is characterized by mixing efficiency. Studies to determine the quality of mixing were carried out using a double-cone mixer at different speeds of rotation of the mixer and different duration of mixing the particles of tungsten carbides and particles of alloying additives, such as nickel and manganese powders. After a certain duration of mixing at a certain speed of rotation of the mixer, the resulting mixture was poured out to form a cone-shaped mass. Samples of the cone-shaped mass were taken from 6 points taking into account possible segregation and separation of the mixed components. Evaluation of the mixing efficiency was performed at rotational speeds of 6-42 rpm with the mixing duration of 0,5-10,5 hours. The highest mixing efficiency indicators for the powdered components of the formulations under study are achieved while observing the optimal combination of the mixer rotation speed and the mixing process duration, which will ensure the waterfall character of the mixture movement in the mixer. Compliance with these parameters during the technological operation of mixing the powder components will improve the quality of the produced powder electrode materials with the specified welding and technological properties