Method for making metallic glass powder

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the invention, a method for making metallic glass powder comprises the steps of forming a jet of molten, glass forming metal alloy and impinging the jet against the inner surface of a rotating cylindrical chill body in the direction of movement of the chill body at an angle within the range of from about 5.
degree.
to 45.
degree.
and preferably from about 20.
degree.
to 30.
degree.
.
This effects atomization of the molten alloy into a stream of droplets of molten alloy.
The droplets then impinge on the inner surface of the chill body to be rapidly quenched to form solid particles of metallic glass powder.
The powder is removed from the inner surface of the chill body, e.
g.
by a mechanical scraper or a fluid stream directed against it.
The chill surface velocity is suitably within the range from about 15 m/sec to 40 m/sec, and the jet velocity is suitably, within the range of from about 5 m/sec to 15 m/sec.
The jet diameter is preferably from about 0.
25 to 2.
5 mm.
The present invention further provides an apparatus for making metallic glass powder comprising a holding means for holding molten metal, a nozzle in communication with said holding means for generating a jet of molten metal, means for expelling molten metal through said nozzle to generate a jet of molten metal, and a rotatable cylindrical chill body providing an inner chill surface, wherein the nozzle and the chill body are so positioned with respect to each other that a molten metal jet expelled from the nozzle impinges against the inner surface of the chill body in the direction of movement of the chill surface at an acute angle of from about 5.
degree.
to about 45.
degree.
.