Method and Apparatus for Manufacturing Small Beads by Centrifugal Action

Author:  E. Plumat, Gilly, Belgium
Source:  US Patent 3,499,745
Doc ID:  1970047
Year of Publication:  1970
Abstract:  
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and apparatus for producing tiny spherical beads by applying molten glass to at least one surface of a rotating centrigual member, permitting the molten glass to spread out in the form of a film, which flows outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force so as to be dispersed from the periphery of the member into tiny particles, and maintaining a hot zone containing at least that portion of the centrifugal member surface which is contacted by the material and a finite region through which the particles travel after dispersal, such that the hot zone is at a temperature sufficient to maintain this surface part and this region above the melting point of the material. Thus the glass is maintained at a temperature substantially above its melting point as it travels through space after being expelled from the member for permitting the particles to spherulize under the influence of surface tension. Also, it is possible to use material other than glasses.