Production and processing of powder materials in the thermal plasma flow

A.V. Samokhin, N.V. Alekseev, A.A. Fadeev, M.A. Sinaisky, F.G. Astashov, A.A. Dorofeev, D.E. Kirpichiev

Baikov Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskii pr. 49, Moscow, 119334 Russia

The report describes plasma technologies and equipment developed at IMET RAS for the production of nanopowders of metals and their inorganic compounds, as well as for plasma spheroidization of micropowders of metals, alloys and composite materials. Plasma chemical synthesis of nanopowders and plasma spheroidization of micron sized powders is carried out in a thermal plasma flow of various compositions generated by DC electric arc plasma torches. The research results, properties of the powders obtained, and the main characteristics of the equipment used are presented. Among other things, the approach developed at IMET RAS for the production of tungsten-based powders consisting of micron-sized particles with a submicron internal structure is considered. Information is provided on the experience of developing and manufacturing plasma installations for the synthesis of nanopowders and spheroidization of micron-sized powders.