High Enthalpy Plasma solution equipment
High Enthalpy Plasma Solution equipment for production of high purity materials and nanomaterials from recycled material streams will be hosted by VTT Materials and Manufacturing research area, which runs currently a project portfolio related to PM value chain from material modelling through powder production and consolidation to performance validation.
VTT has chosen to focus on powder metallurgical (PM) manufacturing processes and has strategic infrastructure including Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), Powder Injection Moulding (PIM) and additive manufacturing equipment utilising Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and access through copartner to Thermal Spraying (TS) and laser cladding. For these PM methods, the spheroidized powders made by the high enthalpy RF-plasma torche are optimal as they exhibit high purity and are up-to three times denser and ten times purer than those from the conventional methods. With the RPT method powders can be made of solid liquid and gas precursors. Especially when utilizing recycled or secondary material sources purification and modification of the powder characteristics is essential. High power density of the RF-plasma means that melting point or composition of material are not limitations, and thus all material types can be processed. Short process time enables also functionalization of materials. Figure presents an example of spheroidized powder and the principle of the RF-plasma torch. Thermal treatment of powders is more efficient with no risk of agglomeration of particles or insufficient temperatures as the powder particles move individually through the RF-plasma torche. This process produces superior, high performance powders with high density, strength and purity. Exactly this kind apparatus is currently not available in Finnish research community and it would serve both research and industrial development needs.
VTT examples:
http://www.pyrogenesis.com/products-services/advanced-materials-processing/
http://tekna.com/about-us-plasma-equipment-spheroidization-nanosynthesis-deposition-nanopowders-spherical-powders/induction-plasma-technology/
http://www.jeol.co.jp/en/products/detail/TPseries.html
Figure: RF-plasma spheroidized powder and plasma torch schematics.
