Effect of Operating Conditions in Powder Metal Compounding Process on Particle Size Change

Using a high-speed elliptical-rotor-type powder mill, composite particles of particulate Ag-Ni alloy and fine WC powder were prepared. The size distribution of the composite particles was measured by means of image analysis method. Effects of operating conditions on degree of progress of the compounding process and the composite particle size were investigated by observing temporal change in the particle size. The particle growth in the process was discussed applying a chemical reaction model to temporal change in the particle size. It was indicated that the parameters, the volume ratio of the particles to zirconia beads and the WC concentration, were the major controlling factors for the variation of the product particle size distribution.