Aluminum Company of America

Thomas J Kondis

Rolf Rolles

James E Williams, Jr

Albert David Booz

Unique polished metal flake pigmented, plastic powder products produced, e.g. by a process including the measure of brush polishing metal flake particles and plastic particles together.

Metal-pigmented plastic powder

The process of producing a metallic powder from a metal compound such as nickel chloride comprising the steps of: first forming a slurry of (1) a compatible, non-aqueous liquid in which the metal compound is completely or partially soluble, and (2) a reactive metal which occupies a position in the electromotive series above the position of the metal constituent in the metal compound, i.e. has a single electrode potential more negative than that of the metal constituent in the metal compound. The metal compound is then added to the solvent in the slurry, e.g. forming a slurry of pyrophoric aluminum powder in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and then adding nickel chloride to the MEK. The reactive metal can be in a pyrophoric state prior to introduction of the metal compound, or it can be made to be pyrophoric in the presence of the metal compound, so that it reduces the metal constituent of the dissolved metal compound as metal compound solution contacts the pyrophoric metal surface. For example, aluminum powder can be made sufficiently reactive by milling to produce pyrophoric surfaces. Alternatively, if the metal compound is a liquid, e.g. stannic chloride, a part or all of the carrier liquid needed to slurry the potentially pyrophoric reactive metal may be eliminated.

Production of metallic powders

A method of using a powder product consisting essentially of thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer based plastic particles and mutually separated, metal flake particles which lie with their faces attached to the surfaces of the plastic particles, said method including applying said powder product to a surface and then melting the plastic particles to form a continuous film on the surface, this being followed by subsequent solidification of the film to obtain a coating of the surface. In an alternate form of the invention, the metal flake particles cover the plastic particles, the quantity of metal flake particles being such that coalescence is inhibited to give a rough, frosted metallic appearance to the surface.

Method of producing glossy or frosted powder coatings

A method of making metal flake comprises feeding metal particles, lubricant and gas to a vibratory mill, milling the metal particles to form metal flake and removing the metal flake from the mill. In addition, the method comprises removing the gas from the mill at a rate substantially commensurate with its feed rate.

Method of producing metal flake

A process for producing a polished metal flake pigmented, plastic powder product, which process includes brush polishing metal flake particles and plastic particles together. Unique products produced by this process.

Metal-pigmented plastic powder and process

A process for the production of aluminum particles of uniform size and shape is provided comprising milling particulate aluminum in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and under inert conditions promoting welding using particular inert liquids which control the shape of the particle. Granular particles are produced by using inert aromatic liquids while platelet or leaf particles are produced using inert aliphatic liquids.

Process for producing large particle size aluminum pigments by working

Monitoring the production of a reactive or pyrophoric aluminum (produced by the milling of particulate aluminum in the presence of a subsequently displaceable material capable of sorbing onto the surface of the aluminum sufficiently to stabilize it) to ensure that the mill does not revert to conditions wherein welding rather than comminution predominates.

Monitoring activation of particulate aluminum

Improved aluminum particulate suitable for powder metallurgy applications is produced by wet-milling particulate aluminum in an inert atmosphere in the presence of a predetermined amount of oxygen to thereby comminute the aluminum into finer particles while oxidizing the new surfaces of such particles and then, after the supply of oxygen is exhausted, welding together such particles by further milling to provide a larger aluminum particle having aluminum oxide dispersed therein.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Thomas J Kondis