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.