Global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment Market 2023 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2029

Global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment Market 2023 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2029

According to our (Global Info Research) latest study, the global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment market size was valued at USD 73 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 175.5 million by 2029 with a CAGR of 13.4% during review period.

Vacuum induction melting and inert gas atomization is the leading process for production of a variety of high-performance metal powders and essential for quality manufacturing of Ni-based super-alloys as well as Fe-, Co-, Cr-based and other special alloy powders. In the VIGA system, a vacuum induction melting unit is integrated with an inert gas atomization unit. The starting materials are melted using electromagnetic induction which couples electrical power into the crucible/material under vacuum or in an inert gas atmosphere. Once the desired melt homogeneity and chemical composition have been achieved, the material is poured into a tundish by crucible tilting. The fine metal stream flowing from the tundish orifice into the atomization nozzle system is subject to a high-pressure, inert-gas jet and then atomized. The combination of molten metal and gas jet creates a spray of micro-droplets that solidifies in the atomization tower and forms fine powder with spherical shape.

VIGA is where the melting and pouring of the alloy prior to atomisation is carried out in a vacuum chamber, to allow the production of the most oxidation-sensitive and reactive alloys, especially Fe-, Ni- and Co-based alloys containing Al, titanium and rare earths. This includes ‘superalloys’ such as IN718, maraging steels and M-Cr-Al-Y alloys. This technique was developed from the 1950s and 1960s when there was a push to explore the potential benefits of rapid solidification (RS) to allow the production of more highly alloyed superalloys for aerospace and defence applications. This proved to be a very challenging field of application but, after several decades of development, is now absorbing many thousands of tonnes per year of VIGA-produced superalloy powders. This intensive development has meant that the technology lends itself well to producing powders for HIP, MIM and AM. Oxygen contents in the 50–200 ppm range are achievable. Particle shape is, again, spherical with mis-shapes. Particle sizes are as for IGA.

By 1940, air atomisation was a well-established process for the production of zinc, aluminium, and probably also copper/brass/bronze powders. During World War Two, German engineers applied it to pig iron for iron powder production using the RZ process (Roheisen Zunder-Verfahren or ‘pig iron ignition process’). In the 1950s, W D Jones in the UK worked on inert gas atomisation as well as water atomisation and, by the 1960s, plants were being built for thermal spray alloy powder production of the NiCrBSi self-fluxing type. The development of Powder Metallurgy of high alloys and the concept of Rapid Solidification (RS) for refinement of microstructures led to the construction in Sweden of inert gas atomisers for tool steels, which went commercial on a 1–2 t scale in the 1970s. At the same time, the US government invested heavily in R&D on RS superalloys for aerospace and the first Vacuum Inert Gas Atomiser (VIGA) units were constructed with 100–300 kg capacity.

Since then, the use of inert gas atomisation (IGA) with air melting, as well as VIGA, has become widespread in use for thermal spray powders, PM superalloys, AM powders, and MIM powders. VIGA production of superalloy powders in the US alone now amounts to something in the order of 10–20 kt/year.

Inert gas atomisation is the method of choice for more demanding applications, such as MIM, AM, HIP, HVOF, brazing pastes, etc. Nitrogen is the most economic option, but argon is also used on reactive alloys like superalloys and titanium. Helium is used mostly in the production of aluminium and magnesium powders, but there is currently a huge incentive to switch to argon due to the unstable supply and high cost of helium. Total installed capacity of IGA and VIGA probably approaches 100 kt/ year, with large numbers of plants in different countries and industries. They range from tiny plants for a few kgs of precious metal brazing alloy to 3 t/h continuous plants for tool steel production. The fact that they are mostly processing relatively valuable metals and alloys (high value-added, large margin applications) makes small, local, plants economically feasible as opposed to iron powder plants, where low cost and economy of scale is imperative.

Global 5 largest manufacturers of Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment are ALD, PSI, Consarc, Arcast and ACME, which make up over 70%. Among them, ALD is the leader with about 25% market share.

Americas is the largest market, with a share about 45%, followed by Europe and APAC, with the share about 30% and 23%. In terms of product type, Medium VIGA Systems (50~250 kg) occupies the largest share of the total market, about 62%. And in terms of application, the largest application is Metal Powder Manufacturer, followed by Universities and Research Institutes.

The Global Info Research report includes an overview of the development of the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment industry chain, the market status of Metal Powder Manufacturer (Small VIGA Systems (<50 kg), Medium VIGA Systems (50~250 kg)), Universities and Research Institutes (Small VIGA Systems (<50 kg), Medium VIGA Systems (50~250 kg)), and key enterprises in developed and developing market, and analysed the cutting-edge technology, patent, hot applications and market trends of Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment.

Regionally, the report analyzes the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment markets in key regions. North America and Europe are experiencing steady growth, driven by government initiatives and increasing consumer awareness. Asia-Pacific, particularly China, leads the global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment market, with robust domestic demand, supportive policies, and a strong manufacturing base.

Key Features:

The report presents comprehensive understanding of the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment market. It provides a holistic view of the industry, as well as detailed insights into individual components and stakeholders. The report analysis market dynamics, trends, challenges, and opportunities within the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment industry.

The report involves analyzing the market at a macro level:

Market Sizing and Segmentation: Report collect data on the overall market size, including the sales quantity (Units), revenue generated, and market share of different by Type (e.g., Small VIGA Systems (<50 kg), Medium VIGA Systems (50~250 kg)).

Industry Analysis: Report analyse the broader industry trends, such as government policies and regulations, technological advancements, consumer preferences, and market dynamics. This analysis helps in understanding the key drivers and challenges influencing the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment market.

Regional Analysis: The report involves examining the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment market at a regional or national level. Report analyses regional factors such as government incentives, infrastructure development, economic conditions, and consumer behaviour to identify variations and opportunities within different markets.

Market Projections: Report covers the gathered data and analysis to make future projections and forecasts for the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment market. This may include estimating market growth rates, predicting market demand, and identifying emerging trends.

The report also involves a more granular approach to Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment:

Company Analysis: Report covers individual Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and other relevant industry players. This analysis includes studying their financial performance, market positioning, product portfolios, partnerships, and strategies.

Consumer Analysis: Report covers data on consumer behaviour, preferences, and attitudes towards Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment This may involve surveys, interviews, and analysis of consumer reviews and feedback from different by Application (Metal Powder Manufacturer, Universities and Research Institutes).

Technology Analysis: Report covers specific technologies relevant to Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment. It assesses the current state, advancements, and potential future developments in Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment areas.

Competitive Landscape: By analyzing individual companies, suppliers, and consumers, the report present insights into the competitive landscape of the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment market. This analysis helps understand market share, competitive advantages, and potential areas for differentiation among industry players.

Market Validation: The report involves validating findings and projections through primary research, such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups.

Market Segmentation

Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment market is split by Type and by Application. For the period 2018-2029, the growth among segments provides accurate calculations and forecasts for consumption value by Type, and by Application in terms of volume and value.

Market segment by Type
Small VIGA Systems (<50 kg)
Medium VIGA Systems (50~250 kg)
Large VIGA Systems (≥250 kg)

Market segment by Application
Metal Powder Manufacturer
Universities and Research Institutes

Major players covered
ALD
Consarc
PSI
SMS Group
Arcast
Topcast
Avimetal
VMP
ACME
Zhuzhou ShuangLing
Hunan Skyline
Zhuzhou Hanhe

Market segment by region, regional analysis covers
North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)
Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, and Rest of Europe)
Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia)
South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Rest of South America)
Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa)

The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:

Chapter 1, to describe Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment product scope, market overview, market estimation caveats and base year.

Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment, with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment from 2018 to 2023.

Chapter 3, the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment competitive situation, sales quantity, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.

Chapter 4, the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales quantity, consumption value and growth by regions, from 2018 to 2029.

Chapter 5 and 6, to segment the sales by Type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2018 to 2029.

Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales quantity, consumption value and market share for key countries in the world, from 2017 to 2022.and Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2024 to 2029.

Chapter 12, market dynamics, drivers, restraints, trends, Porters Five Forces analysis, and Influence of COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War.

Chapter 13, the key raw materials and key suppliers, and industry chain of Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment.

Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization Equipment sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion.