Inert gas powder atomization unit EIGA/VIGA
The EIGA 70-500 / VIGA 2B inert gas atomization system is used to produce high-quality metal powder for additive manufacturing. The system is located in the SCALE research building and is capable of inductively melting rod electrodes (EIGA) and inductively melting alloys in a crucible (VIGA) for powder production. The range of alloys that can be processed extends from light metals such as magnesium, aluminum and titanium to refractory alloys such as niobium-zirconium with a melting point of over 2000 °C.
The EIGA 70-500 / VIGA 2B inert gas atomization system is used to produce high-quality metal powder for additive manufacturing. The system is located in the SCALE research building and is capable of inductively melting rod electrodes (EIGA) and inductively melting alloys in a crucible (VIGA) for powder production. The range of alloys that can be processed extends from light metals such as magnesium, aluminum and titanium to refractory alloys such as niobium-zirconium with a melting point of over 2000 °C.
Description of the system
The EIGA 70-500 / VIGA 2B system from the manufacturer ALD can be operated in two different configurations to produce low-contamination metal powders. Rod electrodes whose alloy corresponds to the desired powder composition are atomized using the EIGA process (Electrode Induction Melting Inert Gas Atomization). The EIGA process is particularly useful for reactive materials such as titanium and niobium in order to produce high-quality powders with a low proportion of accompanying elements. Argon 5.0 is therefore used as the process gas. Alternatively, for materials such as steel, crucibles can be used in the VIGA process (Vacuum Induction Melting Inert Gas Atomization), whereby ingot material is melted in the crucible and alloyed if necessary. The existing system can be equipped with both melting units accordingly.
The atomized powders can be used in additive manufacturing and for the powder metallurgical production of high-performance components, e.g. by extrusion. Current research focuses of the working group include the production of biocompatible niobium powders for the development of high-strength dental implants and the production of foamable light metal semi-finished products from aluminum powder, which are used in wire-based additive manufacturing processes for foaming three-dimensional components.
The powder atomization plant has the appropriate equipment for producing light metal powders from magnesium, aluminium and titanium. In addition to conventional heavy metal alloys such as steel, cobalt and nickel materials, reactive metals such as niobium-zirconium alloys can also be processed into powder. The quantities are flexibly scalable, for example by the number of available rod electrodes. In the case of the light metals magnesium and aluminum, these can also be produced directly on the IW's 10 MN extrusion press.
Mode of operation:
- Processing of Mg, Al, Ti, steel, Co, Ni, Nb and other metals with melting points up to 2500 °C
- Inductive melting
- Vertical flow of the melt through an annular nozzle
- High-pressure inert gas flow is directed through the annular nozzle onto the melt jet
- Atomization of the melt jet into fine metal droplets
- Solidification of the metal droplets in flight
- Formation of spherical powder particles
Technical data:
| EIGA | VIGA | |
|---|---|---|
Melting capacity | 60 kW | 40 kW |
Melting temperature (max.) | 2500 °C | 1700 °C |
Feedstock | Rod electrode | Metal pieces (crucible volume: 2 l) |
Inert gas working pressure | 20-32 bar (HP tank with gas preheating) | |
Gas flow | 10–20 m³/min | 15–25 m³/min |
Cycle time | 15–30 min | 60–90 min |
30823 Garbsen
