ATOMIZING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SPRAY CASTING

摘要

A molten metal spray-depositing apparatus for atomizing a stream of molten metal into metal particles in a divergent spray pattern of higher mass density at an upstream leading peripheral portion of the spray pattern, relative to the direction of movement of a substrate, than either of a center region or downstream trailing peripheral region of the pattern. The atomizer (34) may generate one-side sheer force for breaking up its metal stream. Alternatively, the atomizing device may be in the form of an annulus (35, 50, 64, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160) of varying configurations with plenum chambers and outlets so arranged that a divergent conical spray pattern is produced having central axes inclined with respect to the vertical axes of the molten metal stream in a direction downstream of the moving substrate upon which the spray material is deposited. An alternative form of the spray depositing apparatus employs a magnetic fuel-generating nozzle (234, 248) which eliminates the use of gas. Other forms of a gasless nozzle (334, 336) have a configuration for confining and imparting mechanically an angular momentum to the molten stream to break it up.