Environmentally stable reactive alloy powders and method of making same
US5811187A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/2991
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Apparatus and method for making powder from a metallic melt by atomizing the melt to form droplets and reacting the droplets downstream of the atomizing location with a reactive gas. The droplets are reacted with the gas at a temperature where a solidified exterior surface is formed thereon and where a protective refractory barrier layer (reaction layer) is formed whose penetration into the droplets is limited by the presence of the solidified surface so as to avoid selective reduction of key reactive alloyants needed to achieve desired powder end use properties. The barrier layer protects the reactive powder particles from environmental constituents such as air and water in the liquid or vapor form during subsequent fabrication of the powder to end-use shapes and during use in the intended service environment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.