INVESTIGATION OF GAS PRESSURE EFFECT ON POWDER CHARACTERIZATION OF AZ31 ALLOY PRODUCED BY GAS ATOMIZATION METHOD

Abstract

In this study, the effect of gas pressure on the shape and size of the AZ31 alloy powder produced by using the gas atomization method was investigated experimentally. Experiments were carried out at 840°C constant temperature, in 2 mm constant nozzle diameter and by applying 4 different gas pressures (5, 15, 25 and 35 bar). Argon gas was used to atomize the melt. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) to determine the shape of produced AZ31 powders, XRD and XRF analysis to determine the phases forming in the internal structures of the produced powders and the percentages of these phases and a laser measuring device for powder size analysis were used. The general appearances of AZ31 alloy powders produced had general appearances of complex, ligament, acicular, droplet, flake and spherical shape, but depending on the increase in gas pressure, the shape of the powders is seen to change mostly towards droplet and spherical