Latest research findings by researchers from Beijing Jiaotong University and Zhongming Fuchi | A MAX

In recent years, MAX materials have attracted much attention due to their excellent properties, such as high strength and elastic modulus, good conductivity and thermal conductivity, attractive self-healing ability and microwave absorption performance, as well as superior resistance to high-temperature thermal shock, high-temperature oxidation, friction, radiation, and corrosion. These characteristics make MAX the preferred material for coatings used to protect various engineering materials from corrosion, wear, and erosion.

Recently, researchers from Beijing Jiaotong University and Zhongming Fuchi (Suzhou) Nano High tech Materials Co., Ltd. successfully prepared particles with a diameter of 30~70 through spray drying granulation μ The Cr₂AlC MAX phase microspheres of m were prepared and the corresponding process parameters were discussed. The relevant research results are titled "Preparation and characterization of Cr₂AlC microspheres prepared by spray drying granulation" and published in Powder Technology.

Under constant pumping pressure and drying temperature, this study explored the influence of slurry solid content and atomizer frequency on the sphericity, particle size, fluidity, apparent density and tap density of Cr₂AlC microspheres prepared by spray drying.

Figure 1 Schematic Diagram of spray Drying Process of Cr₂AlC Microspheres

Research has found that at a fixed atomization frequency, as the solid content of the slurry increases, the particle size of the prepared Cr₂AlC microspheres gradually increases, and their apparent density and vibrational density also gradually increase, improving their fluidity; For slurry with the same solid content, with the increase of atomization frequency, the diameter of Cr₂AlC microspheres prepared by spray drying becomes smaller, its apparent density shows a downward trend, and its tap density shows an upward trend, making its fluidity worse. The atomization frequency and solid content in the slurry will affect the density and flowability of Cr₂AlCmicrospheres, while the solid content plays a major role in improving the apparent density and vibrational density.

By optimizing the spray drying conditions, the Cr₂AlC microspheres with good sphericity, fluidity, apparent density and density were obtained under the conditions that the solid content of the slurry was 60 wt.% and the atomization frequency was 280 Hz. The Cr₂AlC microspheres prepared by spray drying have good fluidity and broad application prospects, such as raw powder used to prepare cold spraying coatings, filler used to improve the mechanical properties of polymer composites and electromagnetic interference shielding, and raw powder used to produce high-quality and dense ceramic products.

For more specific research work, readers are welcome to read this literature：https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2024.119521

Figure 2 SEM images of Cr₂AlC microspheres obtained from a slurry with a solid content of 50 wt.% at atomization frequencies of (a) 180 Hz, (b) 240 Hz, (c) 280 Hz, and (d) 300 Hz

Figure3(a) Cr₂AlC EDS of microspheres, (b) XRD characterization of initial powder and spray dried microspheres

Figure 4: Particle size distribution of Cr₂AlC microspheres prepared from a slurry with a solid content of 50 wt.% at atomization frequencies of (a) 180 Hz, (b) 240 Hz, and (c) 300 Hz; (d) Particle size distribution of Cr₂AlC microspheres prepared from slurry of 40 wt.%, (e) 50 wt.%, and (f) 60 wt.% at 280 Hz atomization frequency

Figure 5 (a) Apparent density and vibrational density of Cr₂AlC microspheres prepared from slurry with a solid content of 50 wt.% at different atomization frequencies and (b) slurry with different solid content at a atomization frequency of 280 Hz

Figure 6 (a) The angle of rest of Cr₂AlC microspheres prepared from a slurry with a solid content of 50 wt.% at atomization frequencies of (i) 180 Hz, (ii) 240 Hz, and (iii) 300 Hz; (b) The angle of repose of Cr₂AlC microspheres prepared from slurries with a solid content of (i) 40 wt.%, (ii) 50 wt.%, and (iii) 60 wt.% at a atomization frequency of 280 Hz

This research achievement successfully reported the properties of Cr₂AlC microspheres prepared by spray drying granulation method. This is also the first academic paper jointly published by Beijing Jiaotong University and Zhongming Fuchi (Suzhou) Nano High tech Materials Co., Ltd. in the field of powder materials. Through the deep integration of industry, academia, and research, each individual has leveraged their strengths, injecting surging vitality into academic innovation and corporate development.