Advanced Materials
Tetronics has been active in the field of nanopowder production for the last 20 years and has a wealth of knowledge in this exciting growth area. The high temperatures and steep thermal gradients present in the plasma hot zone, combined with the inherently clean, controllable nature of plasma makes it ideal for the production of a vast range of metallic, composite and ceramic nanopowders.
Tetronics has developed plasma processes for the production of nanopowders using both in-flight and fuming technologies. Powders produced include:
- Aluminium
- Alumina
- Aluminium nitride
- Alumina/silicon carbide
- Carbon black
- Copper
- Lead zirconate titanate (PZT)
- Magnesia
- Titania
- Silica
- Silicon carbide
- Yttria and doped yttria
- Zinc oxide
- Zirconia
Tetronics has exclusively licensed its technology in this field to Intrinsiq Materials Limited. This company spun out of international defence and security company QinetiQ in 2007 with funding from Cody Gate Ventures. If you have any specific enquiries, please get in touch with Dr Ian Clark at Intrinsiq directly at info@intrinsiqmaterials.com.
Energetic Metals
A process has been designed specifically for the production of nanometric aluminium powder but it can be used for other metals.
Aluminium Product
Average Particle Size = 25 - 75 nm
Oxide Passivation Layer = 3 - 5 nm
Specific Surface Area = 25 - 35 m2g-1
Morphology = Spherical
TEM images of aluminium metal powder at magnification range x 50,000 to x 200,000
The aluminium powder product is particularly suited to material applications where there is a requirement for high purity, narrow particulate size distribution and a spherical morphology, such as fuel for rocket propellants. Due to the small particulate size of the nano-sized powder the burn rate is greatly increased (104 - 106 times faster) compared to conventional aluminium powder. The benefits gained enable extra rapid expansion of the working fluid of the rocket propellant leading to a marked improvement in system performance.
Further details of the product are included in the aluminium powder brochure.
Services
Tetronics undertakes contract research for organisations that wish to research, develop and produce commercially nano and novel materials. Please contact Tetronics if you would like to discuss this service further. All research is undertaken in the strictest confidence.
