Aerospace & aviation
The aerospace industry involves the design, development, manufacture, testing and maintenance of aircraft, spacecraft and related systems. The industry has unique materials needs due to the extreme environments in which its products operate, such as lightweight, high-strength, and corrosion-resistant materials to ensure safe and efficient flight. Aerospace manufacturers need materials that can withstand extreme temperatures, pressures and vibrations. The industry also requires materials that can withstand harsh environments, such as high-altitude exposure to cosmic radiation, ultraviolet light, and corrosive chemicals.
Why Powders?
Metal powders are used extensively in the aerospace industry to manufacture aircraft and spacecraft components such as engine parts, turbine blades, heat exchangers, rocket nozzles, and structural components. The high strength-to-weight ratio of metal powders makes them ideal for lightweight structural components. Powder metallurgy techniques are used to produce complex parts that cannot be produced by traditional manufacturing methods.
The metal powders produced by the ATO Lab Plus ultrasonic metal powder atomizers have specific properties desirable for aerospace applications. The powders have a narrow particle size distribution, which allows for consistent and uniform packing of the powder during compaction. The powders have excellent flowability and high particle sphericity, which ensures uniform packing density and high green strength during pressing. ATO metal powders have an extremely low oxygen content, making them ideal for use in high temperature applications where oxygen can react with the metal and cause oxidation. The ATO Lab Plus can produce metal powders in a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on the specific application requirements.
The aerospace industry uses a wide range of metal alloys, including aluminum, titanium, magnesium, nickel and their alloys, refractory metals, and specialty alloys. Aluminum alloys are widely used for their light weight and high strength properties. Titanium alloys are used for their high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. Magnesium alloys are used for their lightweight properties, but are highly flammable and require special handling. Nickel alloys are used for their high-temperature properties, while refractory metals such as tungsten and molybdenum are used for their high melting points.
Examples of Metal powder
applications
in
Aerospace & aviation
industry
Aircraft Engine Parts
Compressor blades, turbine disks, and combustion chambers for aircraft engines are made from metal powders like titanium, nickel, and cobalt.
Aerospace Fasteners
Aerospace fasteners like screws, bolts, and nuts are made using metal powders like titanium and aluminum.
Heat Exchangers
Heat exchangers are produced using metal powders like copper, nickel, and aluminum and are employed in a number of aircraft systems to control temperature.
Structural Components
Metal powders such as aluminum and titanium are used to make structural components such as wing spars and fuselage frames.
Thermal Barrier Coatings
Metal powders such as zirconia and yttria are used to create thermal barrier coatings that protect critical components from high temperatures.
Bearings
Thermal barrier coatings are created using metal powders like zirconia and yttria to shield important components from high temperatures.
Electrical Contact
Electrical contacts for switches and relays, among other aircraft systems, are made from metal powders like copper and silver.
High-Strength Alloys
Metal powders such as nickel and cobalt are used to make high-strength alloys used in critical aerospace components such as jet engines.
Rocket Engine Parts
Parts of rocket engines that can withstand extremely high temperatures and pressures are made from metal powders like tungsten and rhenium.