A microstructural investigation of gas atomized Raney type Al-27.5 at.% Ni catalyst precursor alloys

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 648; pp. 139 - 148
• Main Authors: Mullis, A.M., Bigg, T.D., Adkins, N.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 05.11.2015
• Subjects: Aluminum base alloys; Atomizing; Catalysts; Gas atomisation process; Nickel; Nickel aluminium alloy; Phase composition; Precursors; Raney-type nickel catalysts; Uptakes; Raney-type nickel catalysts; Gas atomisation process; Nickel aluminium alloy
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2015.05.142

Quantitative image analysis has been used to investigate the phase composition of gas atomized powders of a Raney type Ni catalyst precursor alloys of composition Al-27.5 at.% Ni in the powder size range 150–212 μm. We find that there are considerable variations in phase composition both between powders from the same batch and as a function distance from the particle surface within individual particles. Such variations may have significant implications for the future production and uptake of such catalysts, including the necessity for post-production crushing of gas atomized powders. Models are proposed to account for both variations. [Display omitted] •The phase composition of powder Raney-Ni catalysts has been investigated.•Image analysis is used to quantify differences between and within particles.•Phase composition can vary by up to 10% between the particle surface and centre.•Differences of up to 10% in the mean composition are also found between particles.