Formation of W–Y ₂ O ₃ Spherical Composite Powders in a Thermal Plasma Flow

The study investigates a process for producing W–Y ₂ O ₃ spheroidized powders in the 5–50 µm size fraction, consisting of particles with a fine‐grained structure. The powders are produced using an approach that includes sequential stages of plasma‐chemical synthesis of nanopowders, their granulation, and plasma spheroidization of the formed microgranules. The formation mechanisms of nanopowders containing 0.3, 1.2, and 5.0 wt% Y ₂ O ₃ in a nitrogen‐hydrogen thermal plasma jet is established. The parameters and conditions of the plasma‐chemical synthesis are determined under which complete conversion of the initial reactants into the target products (W and Y ₂ O ₃ ) is achieved. Established are the dependencies of the size, morphology, yield, and productivity of W–Y ₂ O ₃ granules on the suspension composition and spray drying parameters. Plasma treatment of microgranules has been demonstrated to facilitate the production of powders exhibiting a high degree of spheroidization and a predominantly dense particle microstructure, characterized by tungsten grain sizes ranging from 0.1 to 3.0 μm and a uniform distribution of yttrium oxide.