In this article, the thermal history and cooling rate experienced by gas-atomized Al-based amorphous powders were studied via numerical simulations. Modeling simulations were based on the assumption of Newtonian cooling with forced convection, as well as an energy balance, which involves gas dynamics, droplet dynamics, and heat transfer between gas and droplet. To render the problem tractable, phase transformations, crystal nucleation, and growth were not taken into account in the analysis of the solidification of Al droplets; instead, an energy balance approach was formulated and used. The numerical results and associated analysis were used to optimize processing parameters during gas atomization of Al-based amorphous powder. The results showed that the cooling rate of droplets increases with decreasing powder size and can reach in excess of 105 K/s for powder <20 μm in diameter. Gas composition has a more significant influence on cooling rate than gas pressure, and 100 pct He has the highest cooling effect. The results also showed that the cooling rate increases with increasing melt superheat temperature.

The optimal processing parameters that are required to atomize amorphous Al were established on the basis of numerical simulations in part I of this study. In this part II, the characterization of cooling rate experienced by gas-atomized, Al-based amorphous powders was studied via experiments. An experimental investigation was implemented to validate the numerical predictions reported in part I of this study. The cooling rate experienced by the powders, for example, was experimentally determined on the basis of dendrite arm spacing correlations, and the results were compared with the numerical predictions. The experimental studies were completed using commercial Al 2024 as a baseline material and Al90Gd7Ni2Fe1 metallic glass (MG). The results showed that the cooling rate of droplets increases with decreasing particle size, with an increasing proportion of helium in the atomization gas and with increasing melt superheat. The experimental results reported in this article suggest good agreement between experiments and numerical simulations.

IN625 Ni-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) components were deposited using Laser Engineered Net-Shaping (LENS) with Ni-coated and uncoated TiC reinforcement particles to provide insight into the influence of interfaces on MMCs. The microstructures and spatial distribution of TiC particles in the deposited MMCs were characterized, and the mechanical responses were investigated. The results demonstrate that the flowability of the mixed powders, the integrity of the interface between the matrix and the TiC particles, the interaction between the laser beam and the TiC ceramic particles, and the mechanical properties of the LENS-deposited MMCs were all effectively improved by using Ni-coated TiC particles.