Spheroidization of metal and ceramic powders in thermal plasma jet

In the present investigation, a theoretical estimation of the percentage of spheroidization of particles has been made from basic fluid dynamic equations. Particles of different sizes were considered at different plasma gas flow rates and temperatures (input power). Particle inflight residence and melting times were calculated and using them, percentage of spheroidization was estimated. Spheroidization was found to be strongly dependent on particle size and plasma jet temperature.