A multi-stage gas atomization preparation method of titanium alloy spherical powder for a 3D printing technology includes the following steps: bar preparation and machining step, multi-stage gas atomization powder preparation step through vacuum induction, and powder screening step. The collision probability of the metal droplets at the gas atomization stage is reduced by controlling the gas atomization pressure and the feeding speed of the titanium alloy electrode bar in a hierarchical manner, so that the collaborative control of the particle size and the surface quality of the titanium alloy 3D printing powder in the gas atomization preparation process is realized.

A load lock system for manufacturing a metal alloy using a feed material includes a process chamber having a controlled atmosphere, a feed chamber in flow communication with the process chamber having controlled atmosphere capabilities configured to contain a quantity of the feed material, and a collection chamber in flow communication with the process chamber having controlled atmosphere capabilities configured to collect the metal alloy manufactured in the process chamber. The system also includes a gate valve between the process chamber and the feed chamber configured to either allow passage of the feed material between the chambers, or to seal the process chamber from the feed chamber. The system also includes a discharge valve between the process chamber and the collection chamber configured to either allow passage of the metal alloy between the chambers, or to seal the process chamber from the collection chamber.

The invention relates to a method for splitting an electrically conductive liquid, in particular a melt jet, comprising the steps providing the electrically conductive liquid which moves in a first direction (12) in the form of a liquid jet (10); and generating high-frequency travelling electromagnetic fields surrounding the liquid jet (10) which travel in the first direction (12) and accelerate the liquid jet (10) in the first direction (12), thereby atomizing the liquid jet (10).

The invention relates to a method for splitting an electrically conductive liquid, in particular a melt jet, comprising the steps providing the electrically conductive liquid which moves in a first direction (12) in the form of a liquid jet (10); and generating high-frequency travelling electromagnetic fields surrounding the liquid jet (10) which travel in the first direction (12) and accelerate the liquid jet (10) in the first direction (12), thereby atomizing the liquid jet (10).

A production method of particulate materials, through centrifugal atomization (CA) is disclosed. The method is suitable for obtaining fine spherical powders with exceptional morphological quality and extremely low content, or even absence, of nonspherical shape particles and internal voids. An appropriate cost effective method for industrial scale production of metal alloy, intermetallic, metal matrix composite or metal-like material powders in large batches is also disclosed. The atomization technique can be extended to other than the centrifugal atomization with rotating element techniques.

This disclosure relates to the field of metallurgy, namely, to the composition of an aluminum-based heat-resistant alloy and a powder from it to be used for the production of parts using additive technologies. A new aluminum-based material has been created, which is intended for producing a powder and its utilisation in the additive production of various products, which has high processability at laser melting and high strength characteristics in the heat-treated state: the yield strength exceeding 400 MPa, the ultimate strength exceeding 470 MPa, and elongation at break of at least 4%. The powdered aluminum material contains copper, magnesium, manganese, cerium, silicon, zirconium and/or titanium, where the material contains thermally stable Al.sub.8Cu.sub.4Ce dispersoids with a size of less than 1 μm, which are formed at crystallisation rates of at least 10.sup.3 K/s, which contribute to the material strengthening under operating conditions at room and elevated temperatures.

A production method of particulate materials, through centrifugal atomization (CA) is disclosed. The method is suitable for obtaining fine spherical powders with exceptional morphological quality and extremely low content, or even absence of non-spherical-shape particles and internal voids. A appropriate cost effective method for industrial scale production of metal, alloy, intermetallic, metal matrix composite or metal like material powders in large batches is also disclosed. The atomization technique can be extended to other than the centrifugal atomization with rotating element techniques.

A metal powder for additive manufacturing having a composition including the following elements, expressed in content by weight: 0.01%≤C≤0.2%, 2.5%≤Ti≤10%, (0.45×Ti)−1.35%≤B≤(0.45×Ti)+0.70%, S≤0.03%, P≤0.04%, N≤0.05%, O≤0.05% and optionally containing: Si≤1.5%, Mn≤3%, Al≤1.5%, Ni≤1%, Mo≤1%, Cr≤3%, Cu≤1%, Nb≤0.1%, V≤0.5% and including eutectic precipitates of TiB.sub.2 and optionally of Fe.sub.2B, the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities resulting from the elaboration, the metal powder having a mean roundness of at least 0.70. The invention also relates to its manufacturing method by argon atomization.

A metal powder for additive manufacturing having a composition including the following elements, expressed in content by weight: 0.01%≤C≤0.2%, 2.5%≤Ti≤10%, (0.45×Ti)−1.35%≤B≤(0.45×Ti)+0.70%, S≤0.03%, P≤0.04%, N≤0.05%, O≤0.05% and optionally containing: Si≤1.5%, Mn≤3%, Al≤1.5%, Ni≤1%, Mo≤1%, Cr≤3%, Cu≤1%, Nb≤0.1%, V≤0.5% and including eutectic precipitates of TiB.sub.2 and optionally of Fe.sub.2B, the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities resulting from the elaboration, the metal powder having a mean roundness of at least 0.70. The invention also relates to its manufacturing method by argon atomization.

The present invention relates to an iron-based alloy powder wherein the alloy comprises the elements Fe (iron), Cr (chrome) and Mo (molybdenum) and the iron-based alloy powder is produced by an ultra-high liquid atomization process comprising at least two stages as defined below.