Atomization of Ti-64 alloy using the EIGA process: comparison of the characteristics of powders produced in labscale and industrial-scale facilities

Autor: Drawin Stefan, Deborde Agathe, Thomas Marc, Pierronnet Michel, Sasaki Layla, Delfosse Jérôme, Godde Olivier
Jazyk: English<br />French
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: MATEC Web of Conferences, Vol 321, p 07013 (2020)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2261-236X
DOI: 10.1051/matecconf/202032107013
Popis: Titanium alloy powders, mostly the Ti-64 alloy with composition Ti-6Al-4V (wt.%), are extensively used for biomedical and high-demanding applications, e.g. in aeronautics. Advanced powder metallurgy processes like additive manufacturing are strong drivers for the production of high quality powders, insuring a good rheological behavior, a low porosity level in the parts and an adequate roughness. Ideally, fine spherical particles with no volume and surface defects are aimed at. Inert gas atomization is a process that is able to produce clean powders for such applications, especially for AM. To avoid the chemical reaction of titanium with the commonly used alumina crucibles, a crucible-free configuration has been designed in the EIGA process (Electrode induction melting Inert Gas Atomization). Two EIGA facilities are currently available in France for R&D purposes: a one-liter (nominal rod diameter/length (mm): 50/500) labscale facility at ONERA and an eight-liter capacity (100/1000) industrial-scale facility at the MetaFensch Institute. Using the smaller facility to screen and optimize atomization parameters and transfer them to the bigger facility is a tempting approach. This communication will show the characteristics of Ti-64 powders produced in both facilities, in terms of particle shape, particle size distribution, presence of satellites and porous particles.
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