Processing parameter effect on the splat diameters of the droplets produced by liquid metal atomization using De Laval nozzle

Abstract

Liquid metal atomization with De Laval nozzle is not a widely used technique to produce metallic powders. It appears as a versatile process to manufacture different particle sizes according to the processing parameters (gas pressure, melt nozzle diameter, De Laval nozzle diameter, etc.). However, few studies have focused on the understanding of the different stages of the process. During the atomization process two pressure stages can be distinguished: transition time (pressurization time) and stabilized stage (setting pressure). The aim of the work is to study the effect of the operating parameters on the splat diameter during these two stages. Copper (99.9 at. %) was atomized using different sets of operating parameters on smooth steel substrates. Different splat shapes and mean equivalent diameters are observed and have shown that they depended on both, the atomization parameters and the atomization time.