Construction Applications 

Ceramic Formulations

Metal or ceramic injection molding is a process used for forming intricate parts in a wide variety of alloys, steels, carbides, and ceramic compounds. The process begins by making a mixture of the desired metal or ceramic powder with a binding agent such as a polymer, wax, or resin. The resulting mixture is usually a viscous paste at elevated temperatures that solidifies upon cooling. This metal or ceramic paste is injected into a mold where it takes the desired shape before being ejected. The binder is then carefully stripped from the part, leaving a skeleton of metal or ceramic powder, which is subsequently heated to create strong bonds between adjacent particles. The accuracy and strength of injection-molded pieces rely on the quality of the molding compound mixture. If dispersion quality is poor, the resulting part could be warped, weak, or improperly formed. Vortex Ploughshear Mixer are highly successful at producing good dispersions with high-viscosity, high-density molding compounds. Heat is evenly applied to these compounds by hot oil recirculating through the jacketed mix can.

Energetics and Propellants

Vortex Vertical Blenders are popular choices for mixing and drying energetics and propellant formulations. Discharge is straightforward with the V-Blender, which is designed for complete product discharge. Vortex offers features such as solvent-resistant elastomers, lock-wired hardware in the product zone, tight clearances between stirrers and mix can, advanced explosion-proof local and remote PLC controls, intrinsically safe vacuum/pressure transducers, grounding straps, and explosion-proof camera and lighting assemblies, among others.

Molten Metal Slurries

Vortex is a trusted supplier to major players in the metals industry, many of whom require specialized mixer features for their sensitive products. One such application involves processing molten metals at temperatures exceeding 350°F, requiring double mechanical seals for all agitators with full seal support systems, extra headspace in the mix can, interchangeable dispersers and rotor/stators, and a Type Z gas-purged control panel.

Brazing Slurries

Aluminum, copper, silver, nickel, and other alloy-based brazing and soldering pastes are widely used in the metal and electronics industries. Customers previously using single planetary mixers to combine powdered metals and binders experienced significant air incorporation in each batch. This air can lead to voids in the finished syringes used to apply brazing and soldering pastes.

Powdered Metals and Alloys

Vortex Rotary Blenders are well-proven for high-density metal and alloy powder blends used in 3D printing and other applications. Heavy-duty designs capable of handling up to 900 lbs/cu.ft. are available.