A device for producing metal powder. This includes a melting chamber, a downstream atomization tower, and a nozzle assembly for atomizing a melt jet. The device further includes an induction coil disposed within the melting chamber and operated at a melting frequency f.sub.melt, the induction coil is adapted to locally melt a material rod at least section-wise received therein, to produce the melt jet to be atomized, and a separate intermediate coil disposed within the melting chamber and operated at a base frequency f.sub.base, wherein said intermediate coil is disposed downstream of the induction coil and aligned coaxially with the induction coil. The intermediate coil is configured to superheat the melt jet in a region between the induction coil and the nozzle assembly. The following applies to a frequency ratio F.sub.BS of the base frequency f.sub.base to the melting frequency f.sub.melt, 1F.sub.BS=f.sub.base/f.sub.melt500.

An atomization unit (1) for atomizing metal melts, in particular for powder-metallurgical purposes, includes a crucible (2) having a base outlet (4). A melt nozzle (16) is arranged below the base outlet (4) and a gas nozzle (9) is preferably arranged concentrically with respect to the melt nozzle (16). The melt nozzle (16) is formed in multiple parts and comprises a casing body along with a nozzle core (17). The nozzle core (17) passes through a conical seat within the casing body.

The present disclosure is directed to methods of preparing substantially spherical metallic alloyed particles, having micron and sub-micron (i.e., nanometer)-scaled dimensions, and the powders so prepared, as well as articles derived from these powders. In particular embodiments, these metallic alloyed particles, comprising rare earth metals, can be prepared in sizes as small 80 nm in diameter with size variances as low as 2-5%.