HERMIGA (High Energy Rate Metal Inert Gas Atomisation) Gas Atomisers (3 – 1000 kg)

Gas atomisers are supplied in three basic size ranges covering R&D, pilot and production scale and equipped with furnace sizes from 3 kg to twin 450 kg units.

The R&D range is generally used for alloy development where quantities of powder for metallurgical examination and preparation of test pieces is required.

The pilot scale range tends also to be used for research but where larger volumes of powder are required for manufacture of prototypes.

The production scale range, able to produce up to 1 tonne of powder in one pour, provides a range of furnace sizes to enable the most cost-effective manufacture of high-quality powder in size ranges optimal for Metal Injection Moulding (MIM), Additive Manufacturing (AM) and Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) and hundreds of other applications.

HERMIGA 75/3 VI
HERMIGA 75/5 VI EAC
HERMIGA 100/10 VI
HERMIGA 120/250 V3I
HERMIGA 120/500 V3I

All atomisers are capable of operating under vacuum or flowing inert gas and equipped with induction furnaces.  Smaller atomisers are fitted with bottom-pouring furnaces whilst the larger atomisers are equipped with tilt-and-pour units.

All HERMIGA systems use PSI’s unique ‘close-coupled’ atomisation die/guide tube configurations for ultra-fine median sizes, controlled particle size distributions and gas economy. Selectable process conditions control particle size according to application requirement, enabling production of spherical powders with particle sizes from a few microns upwards.

A common problem with conventional atomisation systems has been variation of metal feed rates leading to a broad distribution of powder particle sizes. HERMIGA atomisers control over-pressure in the melt chamber enabling the atomisation die to operate most effectively. This minimises metal flow rate change due to a reduction of the metallostatic head pressure thereby stabilising gas metal ratios, which in turn narrows particle size distributions.

A deep understanding of the metallurgical requirements of metal melting, refining and atomisation processes enables powder production to the highest standards of cleanliness, morphology and microstructure. Similarly, dedicated vacuum-gas management systems provide the desired levels of low oxygen or required levels of passivating gas to enable the safe operation of the equipment even when atomising highly reactive metals.

Touch screen Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) enable system automation such that the atomisation process can be easily controlled. System operation is supervised by microprocessor based Programmable Logic Controllers which check for correct operator commands and provide safety interlocking in the event of alarm conditions arising.

The equipment is designed to international standards and is manufactured with a complete range of safety features as standard. Bursting discs, splash can, out-of-range alarms and an automatic system shutdown facility ensure that the safe operation of PSI atomisers is always paramount.

A wide range of optional extras is available to extend the functional capability and ease-of-use of the HERMIGA range.

 


Other Atomiser Variations

Although PSI is best known for it’s gas atomisers it has produced many other systems for atomisation.


Air Melt Atomisation

Where the melt does not need the protection of vacuum or inert gas, air melting furnaces may be arranged either singly or in tandem to increase productivity.  This significantly reduces the capital expense of a plant of given tonnage capacity.


Continuous Atomisers

For further increases in productivity and lower CAPEX/kg ratios, melts may be prepared remotely and brought in transfer ladles for incorporation into the atomiser melt delivery zone.  Production run durations are then limited only by the lifetime of the atomising refractories.


Talk to us if you require other atomisation variations such as centrifugal, cryogenic, spray forming or reactive metal.