Resumen

DIRE, R.M.; BISSETT, H.; DELPORT, D.  y  PREMLALL, K.. Evaluation of spheroidized tungsten carbide powder produced by induction plasma melting. J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall. [online]. 2021, vol.121, n.4, pp.175-179. ISSN 2411-9717.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/1352/2021.

Tungsten carbide is a fine grey powder. It can be formed into shapes by compacting with the addition of a binder. Spherical particles are generally preferred in additive manufacturing as they pack together more efficiently than non-spherical particles, promoting a uniform powder bed density, better flowability, and elimination of internal cavities and fractures, resulting in a better quality of final product. The particle shape of powders can be transformed into spherical through the process of spheroidization. However, due to its high melting point, tungsten carbide could be difficult to spheroidize. Tungsten carbide was spheroidized using an inductively coupled radio frequency plasma at various plate powers between 9 and 15 kW. The influence of additional H₂ in the sheath gas on the chemical composition of the tungsten carbide product was also investigated by means of XRD, which indicated that WC is converted to W₂C at higher H₂ concentrations. Optical analysis of SEM micrographs indicated that the spheroidization ratio increased with increased plasma energy.

Palabras clave : spheroidization; induction plasma melting; tungsten carbide.

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