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Low–power plasma torch method for the production of crystalline spherical ceramic particles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Chun-Ku Chen ,
Seth Gleiman  and
Jonathan Phillips
Chun-Ku Chen
Affiliation:
Chemical Engineering Department, 120 Fenske Lab, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
Seth Gleiman
Affiliation:
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Engineering Sciences and Applications Division, P.O. Box 1663, MS C930, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
Jonathan Phillips*
Affiliation:
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Engineering Sciences and Applications Division, P.O. Box 1663, MS C930, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, and Ceramic and Composite Materials Center, 209 Ferris Engineering Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author.
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Abstract

A low-power, atmospheric pressure, microwave plasma torch was used to make spherical alumina particles of controlled size from irregularly shaped precursor powders. Detailed studies of the impact of operating parameters, particularly gas identity (argon or air), gas flow rates, and applied power, showed that particle size changed in a predictable fashion. The most important factor in controlling particle size appears to be precursor particle density in the aerosol stream that enters the plasma hot zone. This and other facts suggest that particle collision rate is primarily responsible for determining ultimate particle size, although atomic addition also plays a role. Reproducible volume average particle sizes ranging from 97 to 1150 μm3 were formed from precursor particles of order 14 μm3. Moreover, for the first time we report the creation of an atmospheric pressure low-power air plasma (<1 kW).

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 16 , Issue 5 , May 2001 , pp. 1256 - 1265
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2001

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