METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFORM EXTRUSION OF POWDER FEED

摘要

Apparatus for continuously extruding powdered, comminuted, or particulated feed material which includes a conform extrusion machine or the like in cooperation with a forming wheel rotatably disposed within a portion of said Conform wheel to compress the feed material into a compacted feedstock. Compressing of the feed material into a compacted feedstock enables uniform and reliable conveyance of the feed material into the extrusion machine. An auxiliary shoe member conforming to the outer periphery of the forming wheel and to the Conform shoe is included to separate the. compacted feedstock from the forming wheel. The auxiliary shoe directs the compacted feedstock into a passageway formed by the Conform machine extrusion wheel and extrusion shoe. As the respective wheels are rotated the forces on the compacted feedstock heat it and cause it to yield and flow through an extrusion chamber adjacent the Conform machine abutment; it is then extruded from a die in the wall of the chamber. A temperature control system in heat exchanging relationship with the chamber in proximity to the die maintains a desired temperature uniformity in the chamber material to provide uniformity of grain size in the extruded product. Temperature control systems may also be provided for the feed material and for metallurgical control of the extruded product.