Vacuum Induction Melting and Inert Gas Atomization Equipment (VIGA)
Vacuum Induction Melting and Inert Gas Atomization is the leading process for production of a variety of high-performance metal powders and essential for quality manufacturing of Ni-based super-alloys as well as Fe-, Co-, Cr-based and other special alloy powders, which is widely used in 3D printing, Melting Cladding, Laser Cladding, Thermal Spray, Powder Metallurgy, Hot Isostatic Pressing and other advanced manufacturing fields.
Working Principles
1.Melting Process: The starting materials are melted using electromagnetic induction which couples electrical power into the crucible under vacuum. Once the desired melt homogeneity and chemical composition have been achieved, the material is poured into a tundish by crucible tilting. The fine metal stream flowing from the tundish orifice into the atomization nozzle system is subject to a high-pressure, inert-gas jet and then atomized.
2. Atomization process: A vacuum induction melting unit is integrated with an inert gas atomization unit. The combination of molten metal and gas jet creates a spray of micro-droplets that solidifies in the atomization tower and forms fine powder with spherical shape.
3. Powder Collecting Process: Finally the fine powders are collected by a cyclone separation system.
Characteristics
Ø VIGA systems are the most versatile method for processing a variety of metallic elements and alloys into metal powders, typical products are stainless steel, mold steel, high-temperature alloys, CoCr Alloys, Aluminum Alloys etc.
Ø The starting materials are variable, alloy ingredients, master alloys, recycling powders;
Ø Rapidly solidified and homogeneous microstructure
---the rate of droplets solidification can reach to 103~106K/s;
---fast solidification into tiny microcrystalline tissue;
Ø High purity:the low content of O、H、N and impurity are very low under vacuum ultrafine melting.
Ø Superior Powders with high sphericity and controlled particle size: tightly coupled or freestyle atomization nozzle technology is used.
Ø Easy to operate and cost effective, the production preparation is short, and can realize the continuous and large scale manufacturing.
