Machines for manufacture of powders

In the manufacture of metal and alloy powders in the form of small diameter spheres whose shape and diameter must be maintained within narrow limits, a substantially cylindrical solid electrode of the material from which the powder is to be made is rotated at high speed about its longitudinal axis and one end of the electrode is heated to fusion point, the molten material being sprayed therefrom under centrifugal forces in the form of small diameter spheres, wherein fusion of the one end of the electrode is obtained by means which produce a local fusion zone on the end surface of the electrode and means for causing the local fusion zone to move along a spiral path on the end surface of the electrode as the electrode rotates.