Modern production methods for superalloy and titanium aluminide powders

For well over a decade, fully dense superalloy and corrosion resistant nickel base alloy components have been produced for rotating aircraft turbines as well as critical oil well service by powder metallurgy (PM). Over the next decade, the compounded annual growth rate for aircraft products is expected to reach 9–10%. While the growth rate for oil field products is more volatile and difficult to predict, the need for these products is also increasing. Following is an overview of a fully integrated powder plant that has undergone a capacity upgrade to meet the challenges of a growing market for high quality full dense PM products. As part of a continuing development programme, efforts to commercialize refractory free melting and atomization for production of titanium and titanium aluminide powders is also described.