Breakthrough in Spherical Powder Preparation: High-Energy Plasma Spheroidization – HoupuSi Unveils New Technology

Panda3dp.com Guide:In recent years, the rapid rise of metal 3D printing has propelled the industry forward, with over ten domestic manufacturers now shipping more than 100 metal machines annually. The sales of metal powder materials have witnessed an impressive growth rate exceeding 50% year over year. As the market expands, industry competition has intensified, prompting numerous companies to innovate and enhance their technologies. Breakthroughs in metal powder manufacturing processes have become increasingly frequent.  

△High-Energy Plasma Spheroidization  

In March 2025, Panda3dp.com learned that Beijing HoupuSi Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “HoupuSi”) has successfully developed its proprietary High-Energy Plasma Spheroidization (HEPS) technology. This innovative process enables the production of spherical tungsten powder, titanium and titanium alloy powders for 3D printing and Metal Injection Molding (MIM), as well as Low-α alumina powder for semiconductor packaging, spherical magnesium oxide powder for thermal fillers, high-entropy alloys, high-entropy ceramics, titanium carbide, and other metal and ceramic spherical powders. The company has already achieved commercial-scale production, partnering with publicly listed enterprises and institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences.  

△SEM Image of Spherical Tungsten Powder  

Technological Breakthrough: From "Noble Craft" to "Industrial Standard"  

Traditional plasma spheroidization has long been perceived as a high-cost technique due to its expensive equipment, low single-machine output, and high electricity and gas consumption. As a result, it has been primarily confined to research institutions and ultra-high-end applications, such as aerospace. However, HoupuSi's technical team, drawing upon first-principles logic from plasma physics, has restructured the technology path to enhance spheroidization rates, reduce costs, and enable rapid production scale-up, thereby unlocking extensive commercial potential.  

△Spheroidization Equipment  

To meet the diverse needs of various industries and materials, HoupuSi has continuously refined and optimized its high-energy plasma spheroidization technology, overcoming numerous technical challenges:  

- For low-melting-point materials such as titanium powder (melting point: 1668°C), a mid-temperature plasma spheroidization process was developed, effectively preventing fine powders from agglomerating or vaporizing.  

- For powders with a wide particle size distribution, a multi-zone coordinated spheroidization technique was devised, ensuring that particles of different sizes reach their optimal spheroidization temperature, thereby achieving simultaneous spheroidization of both large and small particles.  

100% Titanium Alloy Recycling & Breakthrough in Fine Titanium Powder  

Leading 3C manufacturers such as Honor, OPPO, Apple, and Huawei are poised to adopt titanium alloy materials on a large scale for smartphones and wearables, driving an explosion in market demand for titanium alloys.  

To cater to the 3C industry’s requirements for titanium alloys, HoupuSi has introduced the 2H Solution—a combination of Hydrogenation-Dehydrogenation (HDH) and High-Energy Plasma Spheroidization (HEPS). This approach enables the full recyclability of titanium materials while achieving a fine titanium powder (-30μm) yield of over 80%, a spheroidization rate exceeding 90%, and an oxygen content below 0.2%. These properties meet the stringent requirements for fine powders in precision printing, binder jetting, and MIM applications.  

About HoupuSi  

Founded in 2022, Beijing HoupuSi Technology Co., Ltd. is spearheaded by a core team originating from Tsinghua University. With over a decade of expertise in plasma and materials technology, the company has developed a globally leading high-energy plasma spheroidization process. HoupuSi is currently engaged in a new round of financing and has garnered interest from several top-tier investment institutions.  

TCT ASIA 2025 will take place from March 17–19 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). HoupuSi will be exhibiting at Hall 8, Booth 8.1/8H82. We look forward to insightful exchanges and collaborative discussions on advancing plasma spheroidization technology across various industries.