Technology for the production and processing of water-sprayed aluminum and aluminum alloy powders

Purpose. To improve the tactical and technical characteristics of military equipment and weapons, namely, to ensure the possibility of using heat-resistant aluminum alloys for the manufacture of structural elements subjected to heating up to temperatures from 200 to 300 ºС.

Specifications. The melt is dispersed at a temperature of t=760 °C and a dispersing agent pressure of p=8 MPa. Dehydrate and dry the powder until the moisture level reaches no more than 0.5%. Classification of powder (screening) fractions >200 microns. Pressing of a cellular briquette at a pressure of 250 MPa at a temperature of 20 °C. Degassing of the cellular briquette is carried out at a temperature of 425÷450 °C with a pressure of no more than 0.01 Pa. The briquette is compacted at a pressure of 1200 MPa at a temperature of 20 °C. Recrystallization of the material is carried out at a temperature T=510…530 °C for aluminum-based alloys of any alloying system. Heat treatment must comply with the instructions for the specific alloy grade.

Application area. Metallurgical production

Advantages. Signs of uniqueness: it has been established that the yield strength of the powder billet material does not fall with an increase in test temperature from 150 to 200 °C, but increases by 50 MPa. At a test temperature of 200 °C, the yield strength of the AK6 powder alloy is 80 MPa higher than that of the AK4-1 heat-resistant alloy.

Technical and economic effect. It is expected: a reduction in the cost of manufacturing body parts for weapons and military equipment by 15-20% by reducing the requirements for the purity of high-strength and heat-resistant aluminum alloys; increase by 3-4 times the productivity of manufacturing body parts for weapons and military equipment by increasing the speed of pressure processing of the workpiece. Considering the limited import of high-strength and heat-resistant aluminum alloys to Ukraine, additional economic benefits from import substitution of materials are expected.

Description. The stream of molten metal is dispersed with water, which simultaneously plays the role of a dispersing and cooling agent. The dehydrated and dried powder after preliminary briquetting is degassed and further compacted to a relative density of 100%. The already compact powder billet material is subjected to heat treatment, which must correspond to the standard regime of the specific alloy system.

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