Use of de Laval nozzles in spray forming

Conference · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:10143129

McHugh, K M; Key, J F

Spray forming is a near-net-shape fabrication technology in which a spray of finely atomized liquid droplets is deposited onto a suitably-shaped substrate or pattern to produce a coherent solid. The technology offers unique opportunities for simplifying materials processing, oftentimes while substantially improving product quality. Spray forming is applicable to a wide range of metals and nonmetals, and offers property improvements resulting from rapid solidification (e.g. refined microstructures, extended solid solubilities, and reduced segregation). Economic benefits result from process simplification and the elimination of unit operations. Researchers at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) are developing spray-forming technology for producing near-net-shape solids and coatings of a variety of metals, polymers, and composite materials using de Laval nozzles. This paper briefly describes the atomization behavior of liquid metals in linear de Laval nozzles and illustrates the versatility of the process by summarizing results from two spray-forming programs. In one program, low-carbon steel strip > 0.75 mm thick was produced; in the other, polymer membranes {approximately}5 {mu}m thick were spray formed.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 10143129
• Report Number(s): EGG-M--92715; CONF-9306130--2; ON: DE93010797
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360101
360601
ATOMIZATION
CARBON STEELS
DEPOSITION
DROPLETS
LIQUID METALS
MEMBRANES
NOZZLES
POLYMERS
POWDERS
PREPARATION AND FABRICATION
PREPARATION AND MANUFACTURE
SPRAYS