LAUSR

Abstract In this study, the effects of the passivation treatment and arc current on the properties of Zn fine particles, prepared by the arc plasma method, were investigated to obtain particles with a minimum amount of oxide impurities for application in powder metallurgy. The average particle size of the Zn fine particles, prepared by this method, increased with the increasing arc current, and a minimum average particle size of 236.2 nm was achieved at an arc current of 40 A. The particle size distribution could be better fitted with a lognormal distribution function than with a normal distribution function. Further, the O concentration of the Zn fine particles, upon exposure to air, could be controlled by passivation treatment in 1% O2/Ar atmosphere. Thus, Zn fine particles, with low quantities of oxides, could be efficiently produced by this method.