The demand for high-performance powders from precious metals is growing in the electrical connector market, where superior conductivity and reliability are essential. This study investigates the comparative efficiency of Electrode Induction Melting Gas Atomization (EIGA) and Vacuum Induction Melting Gas Atomization (VIGA) in producing precious metal powders tailored for this application. Key powder characteristics, including particle size distribution, morphology, flowability, cohesive angle, and oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen content, are analyzed.Results show that VIGA powders contain smaller particles whereas powders obtained by the EIGA are rounder and more spherical. Furthermore, the VIGA powders shows better static as well as dynamic cohesiveness than EIGA powders. These powders were compared to the precious metal powders obtained by water atomization to evaluate their cohesion regarding morphology and particle size distribution. The static cohesion index of powders produced by VIGA and EIGA is four times lower than that of powders obtained through water atomization.
Liebgott et al. (Thu,) studied this question.