Research:

1. A Critical Investigation into the Spray-Drying of Powders for Thermal Spray ApplicationsQasim Murtaza, Dr. Joseph Stokes and Professor Saleem HashmiMaterials Processing Research Centre, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland Introduction: Metal powders produced by the spray drying technique has a great advantage over other methods in terms of fast production, specific paricle size, shape and other characteristics. Al, Ni, their alloys, and WC-Co powders are produce by this atomization process and are often used for thermal spray applications. Research: A detailed investigation of the spray drying technique used in the production of thermally sprayed powder materials will be carried out using finite element modelling. The results of these models will then be compared to experimental results of a spray-dried thermally sprayed powder (e.g. HydroxyapatiteHpA). A Laboratory Sized Niro Spray Dryer [1] Water Jet Nozzles Used to Control and Direct the Atomising Medium [2] Project Aims: To investigate the processing of ‘Spray-Dried’ powder materials, generally used to produce wear resistant coatings by various thermal spray processes such as High Velocity Oxy-Fuel and plasma spray techniques. Air atomised Aluminium Powder [2] A Mixed Flow Spray Dryer [1] Annular Closed V Open V References: [1] K. Masters, Spray Drying Handbook,George Godwin Ltd., 4th Edition, Bath, 1985. [2] ASM Handbook Volume 7 – Powder Metal Technologies and Applications, ASM International, USA, 1998. Work Supported by Spraynet