PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SPHERICAL TITANIUM ALLOY POWDER

摘要

A process for producing a spherical titanium alloy powder by gas atomization while economically diminishing differences in alloy composition among product particles differing in diameter. Sponge titanium particles are mixed with additive metallic-element particles with a mixer having a pulverizing function, such as a ball mill. The resultant particulate mixture is molded by compression into a rod-form raw material for melting. The molded rod-form raw material for melting is powdered by the gas atomization method. In the mixing step, the additive metallic-element particles are pulverized and, depending on the kind of the particles, are ground down. These metallic-element particles tenaciously adhere to the surface of the sponge titanium particles. Thus, uniform mixing is possible.