Morphology and granulometric composition of an experimental tungsten-free hard alloy powder material

   Purpose. Study the morphology and granulometric distribution of new powder materials obtained on the basis of tungsten-free hard alloys by electroerosive dispersion in a carbon-containing medium.

   Methods. To obtain new materials from tungsten-free hard alloy waste, an experimental laboratory setup for electroerosive dispersion was used. Morphological and particle size distribution studies were carried out using a QUANTA 600 FEG scanning electron microscope and an Analysette 22 NanoTec laser particle size analyzer.

   Results. The results of studying the morphology and granulometric distribution of new electroerosive powder materials based on tungsten-free hard alloys obtained in a carbon-containing medium showed that the powder particles have a regular spherical and elliptical shapes, and the particle size ranges from 0,320 μm to 67 μm.

   Conclusion. Based on experimental studies of the experimental tungsten-free hard alloy powder obtained by electroerosive dispersion in kerosene for lighting, it was found that the particles have a regular spherical and elliptical shape due to the process of rapid crystallization of the molten material in the liquid working medium of kerosene for lighting. In turn, the spherical and elliptical particles shapes have a beneficial effect on the compaction of the powder material for its further sintering into a new tungsten-free hard alloy with an obviously low porosity index. The presented results of studying the granulometric distribution allow us to conclude that the production of new powder materials from tungsten-free hard alloys waste by electroerosive dispersion in a carbon-containing medium leads to the formation of the product with an optimal particle size for obtaining a new alloy with specified properties.

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