Crucible Corporation

Thomas S Cloran

Charles F Yolton

Vernon R Thompson

Russell C Buehl

Thomas W Sloan

A method for producing atomized metal particles, particularly of titanium-base alloys and superalloys, that are free from contamination by foreign material; this is achieved by providing a rod of the metal to be atomized and contacting an end portion of the rod with a plasma arc gas jet which simultaneously melts and atomizes the metal from the rod to form the atomized particles and preventing contamination of the particles.

Method for the plasma-arc production of metal powder

A method for producing metal and alloy particles from an article thereof wherein the article is first diffused with a source of gas, such as hydrogen, and then subjected to localized heating to melting temperature. Upon localized melting the diffused gas within the article is liberated to produce an atomizing effect upon the melted material. This atomized material is then cooled sufficiently rapidly to form discrete particles which are then collected for further use, such as in powder metallurgy applications.

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East Liverpool, OH, United States of America

Thomas S Cloran