Atomizer for preparing metal powder

Abstract

The invention relates to an atomizer for preparing metal powder. The atomizer comprises a collecting tank; the melt cavity is arranged at the top of the collecting tank, and a liquid inlet with a sealing plate is formed in the top of the melt cavity; the nozzle is arranged at the bottom of the melt cavity and is positioned in the collecting tank; the pulse mechanism communicates with the melt cavity and is suitable for intermittently introducing gas into the melt cavity, and the metal solution flows out of the nozzle and forms continuous metal liquid drops; the rotating column is rotationally arranged in the collecting tank through a connecting assembly and located under the nozzle, and the metal liquid drops collide with the rotating column to form metal powder; molten metal solution is injected into the melt cavity from the liquid inlet, and the liquid inlet is sealed through the sealing plate; then, the rotating column rotates, meanwhile, gas is introduced into the melt cavity through the pulse mechanism, and therefore the metal solution can flow out of the nozzle to form continuous metal liquid drops; and the metal liquid drops collide with the rotating column and are atomized into spherical metal powder in the process, so that preparation of the metal powder is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an atomizer, in particular to an atomizer for preparing metal powder. Background Art

[0002] Atomization to prepare metal powder is an important material preparation technology, which is widely used in powder metallurgy, thermal spraying, metal injection molding and other fields. This technology melts the metal material, converts the melt into fine droplets through an atomizer, and then forms metal powder through cooling and solidification processes.

[0003] Traditional powder making methods mainly include gas atomization, water atomization and centrifugal atomization; however, these methods have certain defects:

[0004] 1. Gas atomization: Gas atomization is the most commonly used atomization method, but it has problems such as large amount of atomizing gas, high energy consumption, and high degree of metal powder oxidation. In addition, during the gas atomization process, the melt atomizes quickly, which easily produces irregular droplets, affecting the powder quality.

[0005] 2. Water atomization: Water atomization is suitable for metal materials with poor conductivity, but its atomization efficiency is low. Problems such as droplet merging and adhesion are prone to occur during the atomization process, resulting in uneven powder particle size.

[0006] 3. Centrifugal atomization: Centrifugal atomization is suitable for preparing spherical powders, but its equipment structure is complex, the metal melt is easy to adhere to the centrifugal disk, and powder agglomeration, oxidation and other problems are easy to occur during the production process.

[0007] In summary, how to prepare metal powder has become an urgent problem that researchers in this field need to solve. Summary of the invention

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is: how to realize the preparation of metal powder;

[0009] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0010] The present invention is an atomizer for preparing metal powder, comprising: a collecting tank; a melt chamber, which is arranged at the top of the collecting tank and has a liquid inlet with a sealing plate at the top; a nozzle, which is arranged at the bottom of the melt chamber and is located in the collecting tank; a pulse mechanism, which is connected to the melt chamber and is suitable for intermittently introducing gas into the melt chamber, and the metal solution flows out from the nozzle to form continuous metal droplets; a rotating column, which is rotatably arranged in the collecting tank by a connecting component and is located directly below the nozzle, and the metal droplets collide with the rotating column to form metal powder;

[0011] First, the molten metal solution is injected into the melt chamber from the liquid inlet, and the liquid inlet is sealed by a sealing plate; then, the rotating column rotates, and at the same time, the gas is introduced into the melt chamber through the pulse mechanism, so that the metal solution can flow out from the nozzle to form continuous metal droplets; the metal droplets hit the rotating column and are atomized into spherical metal powder in the process.

[0012] That is, a pulse mechanism is used to first generate metal droplets of several hundred microns. When the metal droplets impact the rotating column, the number of satellite powders is reduced, and the particle size of the powder after the impact is smaller and more concentrated.

[0013] The device has the following advantages:

[0014] 1. High-quality spherical powder: Traditional methods can only produce irregularly shaped powders, while the present invention can effectively obtain high-quality metal powders with high sphericity and uniform particle size by means of metal droplets impacting a rotating column; spherical powders show better performance in many application fields, such as powder metallurgy and 3D printing;

[0015] 2. Improve powder quality: Continuous droplets collide with high-speed rotating droplets, causing the droplets to break into spheres, which is beneficial to improving the sphericity and purity of the powder;

[0016] 3. Simplified equipment structure: This method adopts a simple equipment structure and is easy to achieve large-scale production;

[0017] 4. Reduce powder oxidation: Compared with the traditional gas atomization method, this method reduces the degree of oxidation of the powder, which is beneficial to improve the powder performance.

[0018] In order to facilitate the addition of the metal solution into the melt cavity, the present invention adopts a liquid inlet funnel disposed at the liquid inlet;

[0019] The metal solution in the melt cavity is added through the liquid inlet funnel.

[0020] In order to illustrate the specific structure of the pulse structure, the pulse mechanism used in the present invention includes: a pulse valve connected to the melt chamber through a pipeline;

[0021] The pulse valve can intermittently introduce argon into the melt chamber to achieve continuous discharge of metal droplets.

[0022] How to realize the rotation of the rotating column, the present invention adopts the connecting assembly comprising: a fixing frame fixed to the top of the collecting tank; a motor bracket arranged in the collecting tank, the top of which is adjustably connected to the fixing frame; a motor arranged on the motor bracket, the output end of which is provided with the rotating column; a protective cover, the cover of which is arranged on the motor;

[0023] A fixing frame is installed on the top of the motor bracket, which is connected to the collection tank. A motor is fixed on the motor bracket. A rotating column is provided at the output end of the motor. The motor can be started to rotate the rotating column. The function of the protective cover is to prevent metal liquid from splashing onto the motor.

[0024] In order to achieve the adjustable height of the rotating column, the present invention adopts the connection between the fixing frame and the motor bracket through a limit nut;

[0025] The position of the motor bracket relative to the fixed bracket can be adjusted by turning the limit nut, that is, the position of the rotating column can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the motor bracket; when the solidification point of the metal solution is low, the rotating column needs to be adjusted close to the nozzle to prevent the metal solution from solidifying during the falling process and failing to achieve impact atomization.

[0026] In order to facilitate observation of the specific atomization situation, the collection tank of the present invention is provided with an observation window;

[0027] The atomization of the metal powder can be observed through the observation window.

[0028] In order to explain the rotation mode of the rotating column, the present invention adopts that the rotation axis of the rotating column is horizontally arranged;

[0029] Compared with the traditional turntable with a vertically arranged rotating shaft, the rotating shaft of the present invention is arranged horizontally. The traditional horizontal turntable will cause the melt droplets to spread and solidify on the turntable due to the low melt temperature. When the melt droplets spread to a certain extent, the centrifugal force will throw out the semi-solidified liquid film; or the melt temperature is high and the rotation speed is low, and the centrifugal force is insufficient to throw out the liquid film. The melt sprayed later spreads on the upper side of the liquid film and is dispersed into small droplets by the centrifugal force. These two phenomena will seriously reduce the centrifugal atomization efficiency and atomization quality.

[0030] In the present solution, when the horizontally arranged rotating column rotates, rotating airflows are generated around it. These rotating airflows can cause the surface of the metal droplets to deform, and the interference of the airflow field will cause the metal droplets to be further broken.

[0031] Beneficial effects of the present invention: The present invention is an atomizer for preparing metal powder, in which molten metal solution is injected into a melt chamber from a liquid inlet, and the liquid inlet is sealed by a sealing plate; then, the rotating column rotates, and at the same time, gas is introduced into the melt chamber through a pulse mechanism, so that the metal solution can flow out from the nozzle to form continuous metal droplets; the metal droplets collide with the rotating column, and are atomized into spherical metal powder in the process, thereby realizing the preparation of metal powder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0033] Figure 1It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the collection tank;

[0035] Figure 3 It is a front view of the internal structure of the collection tank;

[0036] In the figure: 1-collecting tank, 2-melt cavity, 3-nozzle, 4-rotating column, 5-liquid inlet funnel, 6-pulse valve, 7-fixing frame, 8-machine support, 9-motor, 10-protective cover, 11-limiting nut, 12-observation window. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, which only illustrate the basic structure of the present invention in a schematic manner, and therefore only show the components related to the present invention.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the present invention is an atomizer for preparing metal powder, comprising: a collecting tank 1; a melt chamber 2 is arranged at the top of the collecting tank 1, and the top of the melt chamber 2 has a liquid inlet with a sealing plate; a nozzle 3 is arranged at the bottom of the melt chamber 2 and is located in the collecting tank 1; a pulse mechanism is connected to the melt chamber 2, and the pulse mechanism is suitable for intermittently introducing gas into the melt chamber 2, and the metal solution flows out from the nozzle 3 and forms continuous metal droplets; a rotating column 4 is rotatably arranged in the collecting tank 1 by a connecting component, and is located directly below the nozzle 3, and the metal droplets collide with the rotating column 4 to be atomized to form metal powder;

[0040] First, the molten metal solution is injected into the melt chamber 2 from the liquid inlet, and the liquid inlet is sealed by a sealing plate; then the rotating column 4 rotates, and at the same time, the gas is introduced into the melt chamber 2 through a pulse mechanism, so that the metal solution can flow out from the nozzle 3 to form continuous metal droplets; the metal droplets hit the rotating column 4, and are atomized into spherical metal powder in the process, and the metal powder is collected by the collection tank 1.

[0041] That is, a pulse mechanism is used to first generate metal droplets of several hundred microns. When the metal droplets collide with the rotating column 4, the number of satellite powders is reduced, and the particle size of the powder after the collision is smaller and more concentrated.

[0042] Example 2

[0043] like Figure 2-3 As shown, based on Example 1, in order to facilitate the addition of the metal solution into the melt chamber 2, the present invention adopts a liquid inlet funnel 5 provided at the liquid inlet;

[0044] The metal solution in the melt chamber 2 is added via the liquid inlet funnel 5 .

[0045] Example 3

[0046] like Figure 2-3 As shown, based on Example 1, in order to illustrate the specific structure of the pulse structure, the pulse mechanism used in the present invention includes: a pulse valve 6 is connected to the melt chamber 2 through a pipeline;

[0047] The pulse valve 6 can intermittently introduce argon gas into the melt chamber 2 to achieve continuous discharge of metal droplets from the nozzle.

[0048] Example 4

[0049] like Figure 1-3 As shown, on the basis of Example 1, how to realize the rotation of the rotating column, the present invention adopts a connecting assembly including: a fixing frame 7 is fixed on the top of the collecting tank 1; a motor bracket 8 is arranged in the collecting tank 1, and the top of the motor bracket 8 is adjustably connected to the fixing frame 7; a motor 9 is arranged on the motor bracket 8, and a rotating column 4 is arranged at the output end of the motor 9; a protective cover 10 is arranged on the motor 9;

[0050] A fixing frame 7 is installed on the top of the motor bracket 8, and the fixing frame 7 is connected to the collecting tank 1. A motor 9 is fixed on the motor bracket 8. A rotating column 4 is provided at the output end of the motor 9. When the motor 9 is started, the rotating column 4 can be rotated; the function of the protective cover 10 is to prevent the metal liquid from splashing onto the motor 9.

[0051] Example 5

[0052] like Figure 2-3 As shown, on the basis of Example 4, in order to achieve the height adjustment of the rotating column, the present invention adopts a fixing frame 7 and a motor bracket 8 connected by a limiting nut 11;

[0053] By rotating the limit nut 11, the position of the motor bracket 8 relative to the fixed frame 7 can be adjusted, that is, the position of the rotating column 4 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the motor bracket 8; when the solidification point of the metal solution is low, the rotating column 4 needs to be adjusted to be close to the nozzle 3 to prevent the metal solution from solidifying during the falling process and failing to achieve impact atomization.

[0054] Example 6

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, based on Example 1, in order to facilitate observation of specific atomization conditions, the present invention adopts a collection tank 1 with an observation window 12;

[0056] The atomization of the metal powder can be observed through the observation window 12 .

[0057] Example 7

[0058] like Figure 2-3As shown, based on Example 1, in order to illustrate the rotation mode of the rotating column, the present invention adopts that the rotation axis of the rotating column 9 is horizontally arranged;

[0059] Compared with the traditional turntable with a vertically arranged rotating shaft, the rotating shaft of the present invention is arranged horizontally. The traditional horizontal turntable will cause the melt droplets to spread and solidify on the turntable due to the low melt temperature. When the melt droplets spread to a certain extent, the centrifugal force will throw out the semi-solidified liquid film; or the melt temperature is high and the rotation speed is low, and the centrifugal force is insufficient to throw out the liquid film. The melt sprayed later spreads on the upper side of the liquid film and is dispersed into small droplets by the centrifugal force. These two phenomena will seriously reduce the centrifugal atomization efficiency and atomization quality.

[0060] In the present embodiment, when the horizontally arranged rotating column 9 rotates, rotating airflows are generated around it. These rotating airflows can cause the surface of the metal droplets to deform, and the interference of the airflow field can cause the metal droplets to be further broken.

[0061] Based on the above ideal embodiments of the present invention, the relevant staff can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical concept of the present invention through the above description. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents of the specification, and its technical scope must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An atomizer for preparing metal powder, characterized in that: include: Collection tank; A melt chamber, which is arranged on the top of the collecting tank and has a liquid inlet with a sealing plate on the top; A nozzle, which is arranged at the bottom of the melt chamber and located in the collecting tank; A pulse mechanism, which is in communication with the melt chamber and is suitable for intermittently introducing gas into the melt chamber, so that the metal solution flows out from the nozzle and forms continuous metal droplets; The rotating column is rotatably arranged in the collecting tank by a connecting assembly and is located directly below the nozzle. The metal droplets collide with the rotating column to be atomized to form metal powder.

2. An atomizer for preparing metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that: A liquid inlet funnel is arranged at the liquid inlet.

3. An atomizer for preparing metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pulse mechanism comprises: A pulse valve is connected with the melt chamber through a pipeline.

4. The atomizer for preparing metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection component comprises: A fixing frame fixed on the top of the collecting tank; A motor bracket, which is arranged in the collection tank and has a top that is adjustably connected to the fixing frame; A motor, which is arranged on the motor bracket and has the rotating column arranged at its output end; A protective cover is arranged on the motor.

5. An atomizer for preparing metal powder according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fixing frame and the motor bracket are connected via a limiting nut.

6. The atomizer for preparing metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The collecting tank is provided with an observation window.

7. An atomizer for preparing metal powder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotation axis of the rotating column is arranged horizontally.

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