Fabrication of Aluminium Flake Powder by Ball Milling Process
A series of test were undertaken in order to estabilish the effect of different milling variables on dimension and quality of aluminium flake powder. Milling conditions such as initial powder size, milling container rotation speed, milling time, and ball size were varied to produce aluminium flake powder. Flake powder could then be obtained with size range from 15 m to 40 m with a maximum specific surface area of 5 /g by controlling milling conditions. Diameter of milled powders with different milling container rotation speed and ball size were compared with that obtained from theoretical model. The best flake powder was obtained in milling condition of initial powder with average size of 19 m, mill container rotation speed of 80 rpm, balls of 9.5 mm diameter, and milling time of 40 hours.