Development of Spherical Fine Powders by High-pressure Water Atomization Using Swirl Water Jet (II)

In order to obtain spherical fine powder, we have developed a new method of high-pressure water atomization system using swirl water jet with the swirl angle $(\omega)$. The effect of nozzle apex angle $(\theta)$ upon the morphology of atomized powders was investigated. Molten copper was atomized by this method, with $\omega=0.2$ rad (swirl water jet) and $\omega=0$ rad (conical water jet). It was found that the median diameter $(D_{50})$ of atomized powders decreased with decreasing $(\theta)$ down to 0.35 rad in each $\omega$, but under ${\theta}<\;0.35$ rad, $D_{50}$ increased abruptly with decreasing $\theta$ for $\omega=0$ rad, while it was still decreased with decreasing $(\theta)$ for $\omega=0.2$ rad.