ZSBN Ceramic Nozzles in Spherical Powder Manufacturing

Spherical powders have the characteristics of uniform shape and good fluidity. Such powders can enhance the filling and densification process in powder metallurgy and improve the mechanical properties and surface finish of the final product. Therefore, spherical powders are favored by modern manufacturing industries, and industries with large demand for them include metallurgy, materials science, 3D printing, and pharmaceuticals.

When manufacturing spherical powders, the role of the nozzle cannot be ignored. The design and quality of the nozzle directly determine the particle size distribution, morphology and purity of the powder. This article focuses on the application of ZSBN nozzles in spherical powder production, involving gas atomization, liquid atomization and plasma rotating electrode method (PREP) and other process flows. If you are interested in nozzles of other materials, you can read another article, An Overview of Nozzle Materials.

Characteristics of ZSBN ceramics

The full name of ZSBN ceramic is Zirconia Stabilized Boron Nitride. It is a composite material that overcomes the limitations of pure boron nitride ceramics. It has the following advantages for use in powder production.

First, ZSBN is resistant to high temperatures and can resist melting and deformation in high-temperature environments. Spherical powder production is mostly carried out in high-temperature environments.

Second, ZSBN ceramics exhibit excellent thermal shock resistance, which means that they will not crack or break in a rapid temperature fluctuation environment. This ensures that the nozzle remains reliable during the frequent thermal cycles in powder production.

In addition, ZSBN nozzles have high surface hardness and low friction coefficients. This improves their wear resistance and is suitable for the mass production of spherical powders in factories

ZSBN Nozzles Used in Various Powder Production Processes

1. Gas atomization

The gas atomization process uses high-pressure gas (such as argon or nitrogen) to disperse molten metal into fine droplets. These droplets solidify during rapid cooling to form a uniform powder. To ensure that the metal liquid can be evenly split into consistent droplets, the ZSBN nozzle is used to precisely adjust the spray angle and speed of the high-pressure gas. This adjustment process is critical to achieving uniform powder particle size and reducing irregular shapes.

2. Liquid atomization

Liquid atomization is similar to gas atomization, except that the medium is changed from gas to liquid. This method uses a high-speed liquid medium (such as water or liquid metal) to disperse the molten metal into fine droplets. Since the controlled medium is liquid, higher precision nozzle design and operation are required to accurately control the shape and size of the powder.

ZSBN nozzles not only accurately manage the flow rate and injection angle of high-pressure liquid in liquid atomization, but also can withstand the high temperatures when injecting molten metal without losing structural integrity. This promotes uniform droplet formation and improves the quality and consistency of the generated powder.

3. Plasma Rotating Electrode Process (PREP)

PREP is carried out in a plasma environment. Unlike other methods of introducing gas or liquid, it generates centrifugal force through high-speed rotating electrodes to spray molten metal into droplets. Due to the existence of centrifugal force, the nozzle no longer acts as a control medium in this process, but instead introduces inert gas into the powder generation zone to help regulate the cooling rate during the powder formation process. This regulation promotes a uniform spherical structure and reduces internal stress and defects.

Conclusion

To sum up, the advantages of ZSBN nozzles, such as high temperature resistance, thermal shock resistance, and wear resistance, make it use in many powder production processes. Its role is also not negligible, which can improve powder quality and production efficiency.

With the continuous advancement of manufacturing technology, the demand for high-quality spherical powders in the manufacturing industry is expected to continue to grow. Whether it is the nozzle material required for the powder production process or the direct purchase of spherical powder materials, you can visit our website for more information. Advanced Ceramic Materials (ACM) is a global ceramic supplier. Do not hesitate to contact us.