4. Conclusion

The PREP ^® powder manufacturing technology is simple in principle. Compared with other powder manufacturing technologies, the geometrical preparation of the bar to be rotated for melting is an important factor in achieving high rotation speeds and thus obtaining powders with small diameters (tens of micrometers).

Precautions must also be taken to avoid contamination.

These factors lead to a high price for these powders, which is a factor that limits their use. In the case of TA6V, for example, prices from Western suppliers are around $400 per kg.

This technology should therefore be specific to the market for very high quality powders in quantities ranging from one tonne to ten tonnes per year.