METHOD FOR COST-EFFECTIVE PRODUCTION OF ULTRAFINE SPHERICAL POWDERS AT LARGE SCALE USING THRUSTER-ASSISTED PLASMA ATOMIZATION

Abstract A metal powder plasma atomization process and apparatus comprises at least one plasma torch, a confinement chamber, a nozzle positioned downstream of the confinement chamber and a diffuser positioned downstream of the nozzle. The nozzle accelerates liquid metal particles produced by the at least one plasma torch and also plasma gas to supersonic velocity such that the liquid metal particles are sheared into finer powders. The diffuser provides a Shockwave to the plasma gas to increase temperature of the plasma in order to avoid stalactite formation at an exit of the nozzle. The process increases both production rate of the metal powder and the yield of -45 pm metal powder.