Patent ID: 6135194
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B22D,B22F,C23C

Abstract:
A process for the production of an elongated monolithic metallic product having generally parallel sides, comprising, under an inert gas atmosphere:melting a metal in a crucible having an opening in a bottom thereof;passing molten metal through the bottom opening in the crucible and thereby forming a descending molten metal stream;atomizing the molten metal stream with inert gas primary jets disposed about the metal stream to form a plume of molten metal droplets;blowing onto at least a portion of a lower portion of the plume auxiliary jets of inert gas oriented generally parallel to the generally parallel sides of the elongated metallic product, thereby restricting the sides of the plume, without substantially affecting an inner portion thereof, to a deflected pattern of high metal droplet density so as to form the elongated monolithic product having generally parallel sides; andprojecting the plume onto a generally linearly moving substrate to deposit metal forming the elongated monolithic product having generally parallel sides substantially without undesirable overspray at product edges deposited by the deflected plume pattern.