Powder Metallurgy Review: PM and metal powder production

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From powder modification to rejuvenation: Fluidised Bed Reactors in metal powder production and Additive Manufacturing

Fig. 1 A Fluidised Bed Reactor at PSI’s base in Hailsham, East Sussex, UK. It has a capacity of 75 kg of steel-density powder and a temperature capability of 1,100°C. It is equipped with extraction facilities to remove powder particles from an actively fluidising bed and quench them at the rate of 105 - 106 Ks-1 for powder heat treatment (Courtesy PSI)
A Fluidised Bed Reactor at PSI’s base in Hailsham, East Sussex, UK. It has a capacity of 75 kg of steel-density powder and a temperature capability of 1,100°C. It is equipped with extraction facilities to remove powder particles from an actively fluidising bed and quench them at the rate of 105 – 106 Ks-1 for powder heat treatment (Courtesy PSI)

Fluidised Bed Reactors (FDRs) will be new to many in the Powder Metallurgy and Additive Manufacturing industries. The technology offers a host of operational features that are useful in both metal powder production and in instances where batches of powder may need to be ‘rejuvenated’, or brought back into specification.

In this article, Bill Hopkins, Managing Director, Phoenix Scientific Industries (PSI) Limited, introduces the concept of FBRs and considers current and future applications for metal powder producers and users.

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Retech: Enabling the atomisation of reactive and refractory alloys at substantially higher levels of productivity and lower cost

Fig. 1 Retech plasma gas atomised refractory alloy powders (Courtesy Retech)
Retech plasma gas atomised refractory alloy powders (Courtesy Retech)

Retech, a division of SECO/WARWICK Group, has developed a method for the gas atomisation of a wide variety of reactive and refractory alloys, amorphous metals, and superalloys. Called Plasma Gas Atomising (PGA), this technology, states the company, promises a significant increase in production rates.

In this article, Retech’s Dr Aamir Abid explores the technology and its advantages for metal powder producers and considers its potential to substantially reduce the cost of metal powders for Powder Metallurgy and Additive Manufacturing applications.

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Innovations from Japan’s Powder Metallurgy industry: award winners highlight novel automotive and healthcare applications

Fig. 1 The core used in the power control units (PCUs) of electric vehicles (Courtesy JPMA)
The core used in the power control units (PCUs) of electric vehicles (Courtesy JPMA)

In 2023, the Japan Powder Metallurgy Association (JPMA) celebrated forty-five years of its PM component awards competition. This year’s competition recognises achievements within the Powder Metallurgy industry across three categories: New Products (New Design/Materials/Process Development), New Powders and Equipment Development. The organisers also recognised products not covered by the categories with the awarding of the Effort Prize. This year’s innovations ranged from reactor cores for electric vehicles to aluminium bronze powder.

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In the latest issue of PM Review…

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Extensive Powder Metallurgy industry news coverage, and the following exclusive deep-dive articles and reports:

  • From powder modification to rejuvenation: Fluidised Bed Reactors in metal powder production and Additive Manufacturing
  • Retech: Enabling the atomisation of reactive and refractory alloys at substantially higher levels of productivity and lower cost
  • Sustainability in Powder Metallurgy: Highlights from the 41st Hagen Symposium
  • Innovations from Japan’s Powder Metallurgy industry: award winners highlight novel automotive and healthcare applications

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The free-to-access PM Review magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of Powder Metallurgy from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading PM part manufacturers, metal powder manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

 

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