Effectiveness of the process of plasma-arc spheroidization of current-conducting titanium wire

Development of plasma-arc technologies of spherical granules production for additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy

“…Results of analysis of energy efficiency and productivity of the processes of plasma-arc atomization of the neutral and current-carrying wires, in the case of atomization of titanium wire of ti grade2 at plasma arc power of 15 kW confirmed [19] that atomization of current-carrying wire allows increasing the wire heating efficiency more than 4 times (η = 17 and 4 %, respectively) relative to the method of neutral wire atomization, which in its turn allows increasing the process productivity from 1.5 to 12 kg/h (for titanium wire of Ti Grade2), and energy efficiency up to 6 times. however, despite the relatively low productivity, the method of neutral wire atomization is still widely used in PA technology to produce high-quality commercial spherical powders from reactive, refractory and other high-alloyed metals and alloys (ap&c, pyrogenesis, canada [20]).…”