Powder Atomization Technologies

At the Ames Laboratory, the same atomization effect seen in a fuel injector is being applied to titanium metal resulting in fine titanium powders that are less than half the width of a human hair. Titanium melts above 3000°F and is highly corrosive - requiring specialized containers. The liquid titanium is poured through an Ames Laboratory-patented tube that is intended to increase the energy efficiency of the atomization process, which has the ability to dramatically decrease the cost of fine titanium powders. This novel process could open markets for green manufacturing of titanium components from jet engines to biomedical implants.

Transcript

00:00:01 Iowa powder atomization technologies or iPad was created to push the envelope of atomization technology and unlock its potential for fine powder production of exotic metals as shown in this high-speed clip atomization of metal is similar to a fuel injector the liquid is ripped apart by supersonic gas and forms a fine mist for metals the mist then cools into fine powders titanium is

00:00:23 viewed as one of our country's most strategic metals as it has many applications demand for spherical powder is evident but currently no stable domestic supply exists titanium possesses probably the greatest processing technology hurdles of any metal in order to overcome this problem we utilize technology that was developed at Ames Laboratory we have built and are

00:00:43 currently testing a first-of-its-kind atomizer if iPad is able to supply the marketplace with cost-effective powder it can create domestic growth in green manufacturing of titanium components in everything from knee implants to jet engines we would really appreciate your vote thank you