Refractory metals, like tungsten and molybdenum, are the backbone of high-temperature applications, from aerospace components to cutting tools. Their exceptional properties, however, come with a manufacturing challenge: their incredibly high melting points make traditional casting techniques impractical.
Powder Metallurgy: The Key to Shaping Refractory Metals
To overcome this hurdle, powder metallurgy has emerged as a vital technique. By reducing these metals to fine powders, manufacturers can shape them into complex components through processes like pressing, sintering, metal injection molding (MIM), and additive manufacturing (AM).
The Critical Role of Particle Size
One of the most critical factors in powder metallurgy is particle size. The size and distribution of particles significantly impact the final properties of the sintered component, such as density, strength, and microstructure.
Air Permeability: A Rapid and Reliable Solution
To ensure consistent and high-quality products, manufacturers rely on precise particle size measurement. The air permeability technique, a long-standing scientific approach, offers a quick and simple solution. By measuring the pressure drop of air flowing through a packed bed of powder, this technique provides an accurate read of the specific surface area, which is directly related to particle size.
The Evolution of Air Permeability Instruments
The air permeability technique is valued for its simplicity and rapid analysis time. Requiring only a small sample—an amount equal to the powder’s density in g/cm³—the method uses approximately one cubic centimeter of solid material. The process involves weighing, packing, and analyzing the sample within minutes, making it ideal for real-time process control.
Powder samples are periodically collected from production furnaces, their particle sizes measured, and process conditions, such as temperature, atmosphere, and furnace speed, are adjusted accordingly to meet particle size specifications set by powder producers and buyers. This ensures consistency and quality throughout the production cycle.
For years, the Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer (FSSS) has been the industry standard for air permeability measurements. Now, the latest WLP-216 from HUAYU takes this technology to the next level. This advanced instrument offers:
- Digital and Automatic Readout: Users can instantly access crucial data like average particle size, specific surface area, and porosity without having to read manual calculation charts.
- Significantly Enhanced Speed: Older FSSS instruments average 7 min analysis time, while the latest model can produce results within 30-60 seconds.
- Seamless Data Management: Measurements can be easily saved and printed, streamlining quality control processes.
By empowering manufacturers with precise particle size control, the WLP-216 contributes to the production of high-performance refractory metal components, driving innovation in industries ranging from aerospace to electronics.
