Preparation and characterization of spherical tantalum powder by radio frequency plasma

Spherical tantalum powders were fabricated by radio frequency (RF) plasma spheroidization process, the effect of powder feeding rate on the spheroidization efficiency was investigated. The results indicate that, the spheroidization efficiency can be above 90% as the powder feeding rate is 10 g·min^-1; the obtained tantalum powders after spheroidization exhibit the good sphericity, smooth surface, and narrow size distribution without the internal hollow defects; the flowability of the obtained tantalum powders increases to 13.83s·(50 g)^-1, and the apparent density increases from 5.87 g/cm³ to 9.35 g/cm³, meeting the requirements of additive manufacturing technology; the impurity content and phase composition of tantalum powders after spheroidization remain unchanged.