Method and means for converting metal powders to continuous strip form

Abstract

Abstract The invention is directed to a new method for converting powdered metals to strip form on a continuous basis, which is productive of commercially acceptable levels of strip uniformity in respect of such characteristics as strip thickness, density, edge conditions, metallurgical characteristics, etc. The invention is especially applicable to, although by no means limited to, the processing into continuous strip form of wateratomized ferrous powders. In the new process, metal powder is controllably fed over a generally horizontal delivery surface in a strip-like layer. The feeding facility is an asymmetrically vibrating unit which advances the strip-like powder layer in the feeding direction while simultaneously vibrating it. During the vibratory feeding step, the powder is consolidated, and gases are dispelled from the powder layer, to facilitate subsequent compacting. The rate of vibratory advancement of the strip-like layer of powder is maintained below over-saturation or flooding rates for the rolling mill i.e., does not exceed the capacity of the rolls, at a given setting, to roll the powder so there is no significant accumulation of powder at the roller nip. The rate is controlled as an inverse function of the power load on the compacting rolls, so that the input to the compacting rolls is adjustable to a level which will result in a substantially continuously uniform output from the discharge side of the compacting rolls.

Inventors

• 👤 Maurice Donald Ayers

Bibliographic Details