Effect of Ar or He Pressure on the Formation of Fine Metal Powder by the MIG Arc Melting Process(Materials, Metallurgy & Weldability)

The formation process of fine metal powder has been studied by means of the arc melting (depositing) process. The high-pressure arc melting process is a useful process to produce fine metal powder. The MIG arc melting process and a pressurized arc atmosphere are used. The results obtained using the MIG arc process and the effects of Ar and He pressure on the generation of fine metal powder are reported in this paper. He-gas is effective in generating fine powder. The high pressure MIG-He gas process is superior to the high pressure MIG-Ar, high pressure TIG-He and TIG-Ar+H2 mixture gas process for the generation rate of fine powder. Characterization of the fine metal powders produced is also described.