Meaning
Solidification thermal dynamics measure the temperature drop per unit time that droplets experience after initial atomization has occurred. The secondary cooling rate determines the internal grain structure and phase distribution of the solidified metal powder. High cooling rates prevent the separation of different metals within the alloy, which ensures a homogeneous chemical composition.
Sourcing contracts specify these rates to guarantee that the raw powder has the correct crystalline structure.
Solidification Speed
Rapid cooling freezes the liquid structure, which reduces the size of the internal crystal grains. This fine grain structure improves the mechanical strength of the powder.
Powder Structure
Slow cooling allows secondary phases to form at the grain boundaries, which reduces the purity of the material. This segregation degrades the electrochemical performance of the finished battery.
Sourcing Metric
Suppliers measure the dendrite arm spacing to calculate the cooling rate achieved during production. This calculation provides an indirect measure of the thermal history of the powder.
