Nanometer Metal Powder Production

The process of electro-explosion of metal wires, first practiced by Faraday was first developed by G. Ivanov of Russia in 1975 for the production of nanometer metal powder. Extensive R, D and E plus production was done on aluminum(Alex) and copper. Kg. quantities have been made of Sn, Zn, Fe, Ni, Ta, Mo, W, Ti, Zr, and Fe. The process can use any metal so long as it is available in wire of the appropriate dimensions. The Argonide Corporation has a license with the appropriate Russian Institutes to make and sell the powders outside the CIS, and has begun pilot manufacturing near Pittsburgh in February of 1996. The process is semi-automated, and is amenable to scale-up. The powders are about 50-100 nm, and have unusual chemical, metallurgical and thermodynamic properties. Under Phase 1, Argonide proposes to manufacture and supply one Kg. each of aluminum, copper and nickel as well as one Kg. each of the same metals manufactured in Russia under the same process conditions . Preliminary characterization of the powders will be done as part of Phase 1, including scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis and surface area measurement. Carnegie Mellon University will be a subcontractor who will be performing much of the characterization. 196