Argonide Announces New Nanopowder Custom Synthesis Group
September 20, 2001 - Argonide Nanomaterials Corp., a Florida-based leader in the technology, production, and marketing of specialty nanoceramics and nanoparticles including stainless steels, silicon electrical steels, tool steels, titanium, nickel alloys, super alloys, as well as other advanced alloys, today announced the launching of their new nanopowder custom synthesis group. Any metal that can be converted into ductile wire can be converted into nanopowders said Fred Tepper, President.
Argonide produces metal powders by a plasma process involving the electroexplosion of metal wire. The powders are usually spherical and are fully dense. The nominal average particle size is 100 nanometers but smaller sizes can be synthesized on a custom basis. The process is particularly suitable for producing nano particle alloys including those of copper, aluminum, tantalum, tungsten, molybdenum, iron and nickel. The alloys produced have included aluminum/copper alloy, stainless steels, Hastelloy, nickel-titanium memory alloys and tungsten base alloys. The applications include low melting metals and alloys for thick film microelectronic pastes, in bonding and joining and as additives to motor oil.
The nanopowders are highly reactive and can sinter and alloy at very low temperatures to produce nanograin structured shapes. These powders would also provide some processing advantages in powder injection molding and coating processes. Alex®, our nano aluminum will double the burning rate of solid propellants. When gelled into kerosene, it will accelerate the combustion of the kerosene. Alloying Alex would alter its combustion properties. Oxides such as aluminum, titanium, zinc, iron, tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum and mixed metal oxides such as alumina/magnesia or titania/zirconia may be formed by electroexplosion of precursor wire in oxygen containing gases. Nitrides such as AlN and TiN may be synthesized by electroexplosion of wire in nitrogen containing gases. A substantial R and D effort is underway to expand the process range to precious metals, reduce particle size, de-agglomerate the individual particles, characterize the powders and modify their surfaces for a variety of purposes.
For more information contact the Argonide Engineering Division at (407)322-2500 or info@argonide.com