Gas flow field in nozzles and out of nozzles was calculated for Laval orifice and straight orifice nozzles. The results showed that the flow generated by the Laval nozzle had a higher exit velocity in the vicinity of the nozzle, in comparison with that of the straight nozzle, that is to say, a Laval nozzle was more efficient than a straight one in disintegrating the melt stream and was apt to produce finer powders. The flow generated by the Laval nozzle was less convergent and the velocity gradient along the radial direction was more moderate than that of a straight nozzle, which could contribute to a broad distribution of melt particles. According to their flow characteristics, the Laval nozzle was reckoned as a better choice of producing larger spray-formed billets.
LI Zheng-dong ZHANG Guo-qing LI Zhou ZHANG Yong XU Wen-yong
