Tungsten powder is used extensively in tungsten metallurgical processes to form tungsten alloys, hard facing, and solid parts such as drill bits and saw blades. The powder is typically produced in a variety of particle sizes, including fine, coarse, and ultra-fine grades. Due to its strength, wear and heat resistance properties, tungsten powder is suitable for a broad range of industries, including but not limited to tool & die, aerospace, medical, automotive, and electronics.
Tungsten powder production is achieved via the conversion of micron-sized particles into nano-sized particles. The process begins by crushing tungsten rods, plates, and sheets into much smaller particles. Micron-sized tungsten powder is then subjected to a high-pressure jet milling process, which further reduces the average particle size. During jet milling, tungsten is illuminated with a gas jet, under a high-pressure gradient, which results in a fine powder product with an average particle size that is typically around ten to one hundred nanometers.
Once the micron-sized particles are exposed to high-pressure jet milling, airborne particles spread throughout the working environment and can be breathed in. Therefore, special care must be taken to protect the health and safety of production workers who handle tungsten powder. This is especially important in ultra-fine grades of tungsten powder. It is imperative that individual manufacturers create a comprehensive safety plan, which details proper safety procedures and equipment needed to ensure the safety of those that handle tungsten powder.
The grade of tungsten powder is determined by ultra-fine size, chemical composition, and oxidation degree. The ultra-fine size is determined by particle size distribution. The smaller the tungsten powder particle size, the higher the grade as the particles have a larger surface area per unit weight and a greater ability to form a dense bond which leads to superior performance features.
In terms of oxidation degree, oxidation affects the powder performance with harsher oxidized particles generally displaying lower strength and wear resistance. It is important for manufacturers to test the grade of their tungsten powder products in order to ensure high-quality and consistent performance properties.
Tungsten powder is used in many industrial manufacturing processes to form high-performance tungsten alloys and parts. The powder is usually subjected to high-pressured jet milling to reduce its size to nano-grade particles, which increases the powder’s performance properties. In order to ensure the health and safety of workers, proper safety protocols, and equipment must be implemented when handling the powder. Additionally, it is important to provide testing to ensure consistent and high-quality performance properties.
