Plasma alloying and spheroidization process and development

Elemental and blended refractory metal powders were processed using a plasma alloying and spheroidization (PAS) process. The powders were characterized to determine changes in chemistry and morphology after processing. Five refractory metal powders were evaluated during this investigation: (1) crystalline W, (2) spray dried Mo, (3) W-25 wt.% Re composite powder, (4) W-2 wt.% Re composite powder, and (5) Mo-40 wt.% Re composite powder. Benefits of the PAS process, such as a two-order of magnitude reduction in oxygen contamination, production of highly spherical powders for enhanced flow characteristics, and the ability to produce prealloyed powders were demonstrated. This paper was presented at the 2nd International Surface Engineering Congress sponsored by ASM International, on September 15–17, 2003, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and appears on pp. 441–47 of the Proceedings.