Electrode Induction Melting and Inert Gas Atomization Equipement (EIGA)

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Upgrade of a VIGA to a VIGA-EIGA system for crucible-free production of high-purity uncontaminated metal powderThe upgrade of the existing VIGA system includes the implementation of Electrode Inductionmelting Gas Atomization (EIGA) as an additional atomization unit. The EIGA process will be used especially for the production of powders of reactive and oxygen affine metals. The main feature of the EIGA process is the combination of an inert gas atomization with a crucible-less melting process. The material to be atomized is cast in an existing two-chamber vacuum induction melting and casting plant (VIM-12) to form a rod electrode or, for particularly high degrees of purity, is produced in an electroslag remelting plant (ESR) also available at IEST. This electrode is inserted into the EIGA system and rotated. The rotating electrode is melted on the surface without contact by an induction coil, so that the melt drops from the electrode directly into the gas nozzle system in which the metal is atomized. The generated powder particles solidify in the atomization chamber below the system and are collected in a powder container. In this way, very pure powders are obtained which are free of impurities and have a very low oxygen content. In addition, higher cooling rates result in a finer microstructure, as the specific ratio of molten metal to atomizing gas increases.