Abstract
The production of metallic powder by precipitation from solution was studied in laboratory scale as an alternative to the conventionally adopted processes, based on the atomization of molten material, for producing metal powders with small particle size. The process is based on the precipitation of metals from aqueous solutions by reduction under controlled conditions. Results of laboratory scale experiments are presented for the production of copper particles from aqueous solutions of copper sulfate, using formaldehyde as reducing reactant, and EDTA as complexing agent. The effect of the presence of nuclei was studied. Metallic particles with average sizes in the range from about 0.3 µm to about 15 µm were obtained. In the process, large particles are formed mainly by aggregation of submicrometric particles, indicating that the particle size distribution of the product depends on the control of particle agglomeration rate.
Highlights
In recent years there has been a growing interest in the use of metal powders with increasingly smaller particle sizes in the production of metal pieces by powder metallurgy techniques, since smaller particles can result in improved quality of molded pieces
The production of metal powders for injection molding is normally based on atomization techniques, and considerable effort has been dedicated to the development of atomization nozzles and to the study of the effect of melt properties, as well as atomization variables, such as pressure and flow rate, on the resulting PSD of the products[1]
The product can be composed of particles of the own metal if the precipitant is a reduction agent, or an insoluble salt of the metal. In the latter case the precipitated particles should be further processed by conventional reduction processes in order to obtain the metal powder
Summary
In recent years there has been a growing interest in the use of metal powders with increasingly smaller particle sizes in the production of metal pieces by powder metallurgy techniques, since smaller particles can result in improved quality of molded pieces. In order to meet specifications of molding industries, it is necessary to develop metal powder production techniques that are able to produce smaller particles, and to control the particle size. This article presents results of laboratory scale experiments on the production of metallic powder by an alternative process, based on the precipitation from aqueous solutions. The product can be composed of particles of the own metal if the precipitant is a reduction agent, or an insoluble salt of the metal. In the latter case the precipitated particles should be further processed by conventional reduction processes in order to obtain the metal powder. Particles with size within such range are difficult to obtain by conventional atomization techniques
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