Novel Inexpensive Scalable Fluidized Degassing Process for Nanostructured, Lightweight Composite Powders

MATSYS proposes to develop novel fluidized degassing system for high-strength, nanostructured, lightweight Al-based composite powders. This effort will build on our extensive experience in fluidized powder flow to develop a new generation of inexpensive, scalable and highly-efficient fluidized powder systems to speed-up the removal of the PCA, such as stearic acid, used in the production of nanostructured, lightweight composite powders. In the proposed concept we will introduce nitrogen in a loose powder bed as it is being heated. The gas will be introduced at multiple levels to ensure all the powder is exposed to it and speed up the removal of the PCA byproducts. This will reduce the exposure of the powder to temperature to minimize any grain growth. The gas will be introduced at very low pressure and flow rate to prevent any spouting, channeling or cracks which, if they develop, will cause the gas to escape without any removal of the PCA byproducts. The system will have no moving parts, which will make it easy and inexpensive to use, and minimizes maintenance costs. During the proposed project, we will build a prototype system and demonstrate the use of fluidization for the removal of the PCA byproducts while maintaining the microstructure of the starting powder.