You are here:
Home →
Industries / Applications →
Metallurgy →
Applications
Applications
Applications in the metallurgy industry
There are many reasons why you might benefit from Russell equipment in your process. Below are the most common applications our solutions are used for in the metallurgy industry.
Mesh blinding
The biggest single problem in sieving metal powders is mesh blinding, where the apertures of the mesh screen are blocked. This is due to static adhesion, interlocking or irregular shaped particles or agglomeration. Mesh blinding can cause reduced sieving capacity, inconsistent particle specification and reduced sieve mesh life. Traditional deblinding devices such as rubber balls or plastic sliders impact on the mesh in an attempt to dislodge blinding particles. However, these devices wear out the mesh due to their impact and can also contaminate the product.
Russell Finex were the originators of the patented Russell Vibrasonic® Deblinding System that has revolutionized the sieving industry and in particular, the sieving of metal powders. By applying an ultrasonic frequency to the mesh wires, it dissipates static and eliminates mesh blinding. It allows you to sieve on finer meshes down to 20 micron while increasing your capacity and extending your mesh life.
Recommended product: Russell Vibrasonic® Deblinding System
Reduction
Metal powders such as iron, can benefit from sieving following reduction and grinding processes. This removes oversize, un-milled particles or agglomerates, ensuring accurate particle size distribution.
Sieving alloy powders, after the mixing of constituent powders, is crucial to remove oversize contamination. Powder metallurgy sintering and pressing also relies on accurate particle size so sieving and grading are key steps to undertake.
Recommended products:
Atomization and spray drying
Metal powders, which undergo spray drying and atomization also benefit from quality sieving. Metal slurries produced to be atomized need to be check screened to remove oversize particles, which could block spray nozzles. After atomization, powders are sieved to remove oversize or are graded into fractions for further blending into special alloys.
Powders such as magnetite, used as constituents in toner powders, are sieved in slurry form before being spray dried. This again prevents spray nozzle blockage. The powders can also be sieved before and after sintering, thus controlling powder particle specification.
Recommended products:
Carburization
Hard metals produced after carburization and subsequent mixing and milling also need to be sieved to ensure correct particle size. This is necessary to guarantee the correct strength of compacts, and hence the ultimate strength of the final sintered part.
Recommended product:
Check sieving
In all sectors of powder production there are areas where quality checks are required.
Whether checking particle size to protect subsequent equipment in the process or monitoring specification prior to transfer to the next process stage or to the end customer, check screening is a form of insurance against damage, rework or complaints.
Recommended product: Compact Sieve®
Read more
Learn more about Russell Finex and the metallurgy industry either by viewing our most recent stories in the related media section at the top of this page or by moving to our metallurgy case studies section.