ion Process: In this process, the metal powders are

produced
a lR e d u c t i o n

ical
6Chemica Re ores oxides in a current of
or oxidesi
ores or hydrogen gas at a temperature
refinet Tungsten
byredtucing?
elting point. oxide, when heated
in a current of
below
the melthngen DOwder. Iron and copper powder can
fine tungsten powder
also be
hydrogen,
by
this
method.
produced
Atomisation: In this
Ta thi process, the molten metal is forced through a nozzle into
Atomnmpressed air or water as shown in Fig. 7.1.
Astream
Molten melal

. ***

*.. * * .

Air or
water

Automization
chamber

a
st
- Metal powder

is
Fig. 7.1:Automisation

Oncooling, the metal solidifies into small particles of various sizes, sometimes
dfimegular shapes. The nozzle size rate of flow of metal, temperature and pressure
water and the airstreamare the parameters affecting the size of theseparticles
ne Pwders of metals having low melting point such as zinc, aluminium and tin are
iS
widely produced by using this technique. A stream of inert gas may also be
SS umlized in automisation of metal
powders. The powders so produced are usually
herical or pear
shaped, coated with a thin oxide layer.
te
he 73
CHARACTERISTICS OF METAL POWDERS
gh
es Principal characteristics of metal powders upon which the properties of
on Ned
product depends are as follows:
or
of
POwdeComposition: It is outstanding characteristic of the metal
an
ly. nemical composition usually reveals the type and percentage of