Breakthrough: 65% Yield of Fine Special Steel Powder Achieved, Annual Shipments Reach 1,000 Tons – SS-PREP Technology by Ouzhong Technology Enhances Efficiency and Quality

In recent years, the aerospace, 3C electronics, and other industries have witnessed an explosive demand for metal 3D printing, driving a surge in the market supply of spherical metal powder materials. A breakthrough in domestic plasma rotating electrode atomization (PREP) technology has been achieved, as Ouzhong Technology’s independently developed ultra-high-speed plasma rotating electrode atomization process (SS-PREP®) has successfully increased the yield of fine special steel powder to over 65%, enabling an annual output of up to 1,000 tons.  

On February 28, 2025, Panda3dp.com reported that Ouzhong Technology, a nationally recognized "Little Giant" enterprise incubated by the Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research, has leveraged its proprietary SS-PREP® technology system to achieve a groundbreaking advancement. While ensuring high powder quality, the company has nearly doubled the fine powder yield of a specialized aerospace-grade steel from 35% to 65%, reaching an annual shipment capacity of 1,000 tons. The powder boasts exceptional sphericity of over 98%, a flowability rate of 13.1s/50g, a loose bulk density of 4.55g/cm³, and a tap density of 4.84g/cm³—fully meeting industry demands for large-scale, high-quality powder production.  

△Electron microscopy image of special steel powder of Euro-China Technology

△Particle size distribution of SS-PREP® powder

△Parameter table of powder materials

SS-PREP® Powder Preparation Technology Features

Ouzhong Technology's independently developed SS-PREP® powder preparation technology possesses several distinctive advantages.  

△Technical principle of SS-PREP®

1. High-Efficiency Atomization for Enhanced Yield  

Utilizing an ultra-high-speed rotating alloy rod under the intense heat of a plasma arc, SS-PREP® technology effectively atomizes molten metal into fine particles. Compared to conventional atomization methods, SS-PREP® significantly improves atomization efficiency, substantially increasing the target segment's fine powder yield.  

2. Stable and Controlled Production for Consistency  

The SS-PREP® system operates with remarkable stability and precise control, ensuring accurate regulation of key parameters such as particle size distribution and sphericity. This guarantees consistent powder quality across batches.  

3. Continuous Production for Large-Scale Supply  

Capable of 24-hour continuous operation, SS-PREP® outperforms traditional atomization technologies in production efficiency. It supports large-scale manufacturing needs while maintaining stable capacity reserves, ensuring customers receive high-quality spherical metal powders promptly and consistently for sustainable additive manufacturing.  

Leading the Global SS-PREP® Powder Preparation Industry  

As one of the world's top three and China's leading PREP metal spherical powder manufacturers, Ouzhong Technology pioneered the introduction and development of advanced ultra-high-speed plasma rotating electrode atomization technology in 2013. The company has since expanded its application to the research and mass production of high-quality metal powders. Adhering to the philosophy of "introduce, assimilate, innovate," Ouzhong remains committed to delivering premium powder materials and efficient manufacturing solutions, driving industry progress through technological advancements. The company continuously refines its powder preparation equipment while prioritizing customer-driven innovation, exploring broader powder applications, and creating greater value for the special steel powder materials market.  

△Installation and debugging of domestic SS-PREP® powder preparation equipment

Panda3dp.com has learned that Ouzhong Technology has successfully established five SS-PREP® production lines, capable of operating at speeds of up to 40,000 rpm, with rod diameters ranging from φ50-100mm. Through an advanced argon gas protection system and intelligent temperature control technology, the company ensures 24-hour continuous production of nickel-based, cobalt-based, iron-based, and titanium-based alloys, maintaining excellent batch stability. With an annual output exceeding 1,500 tons of spherical metal powder, the company is well-equipped to meet the industry's growing demands.  

The high yield and superior quality of SS-PREP®-produced metal powders not only enhance product performance in additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy but also significantly reduce material costs, improve supply stability, and shorten delivery cycles—ultimately bolstering product competitiveness. As additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy continue to evolve, SS-PREP® technology will play a pivotal role in advancing the industry's development.  

About Ouzhong Technology  

Xi’an Ouzhong Materials Technology Co., Ltd. (Ouzhong Technology) is a national-level "Little Giant" enterprise under the Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research, specializing in high-end metal spherical powders and powder metallurgy components. Established in 2013 with a registered capital of 1.8 billion RMB, the company has built China’s first ultra-high-speed plasma rotating electrode (SS-PREP®) metal powder production line, as well as the first domestic high-temperature alloy powder disc “ultra-high-speed powder + hot isostatic pressing” (SS-PREP Disk®) short-process production line. Ouzhong Technology boasts an annual production capacity of 1,500 tons of metal spherical powders and 2,000 powder metallurgy components. The company is dedicated to the research, production, and global trade of titanium alloys, superalloys, and other metal spherical powders and powder metallurgy components.  

Core Business Areas: Ouzhong Technology’s product portfolio includes over 100 material grades, covering titanium alloys (TC4, TC11, TA15, Ti2AlNb, TiAl), superalloys (GH4169, Inconel 718, GH4099, GH3230, GH3536, GH3625, GH5188, EP741NP, Mar-M247, K477), and specialty steels (304, 316L, 17-4PH, 18Ni300). These materials are extensively applied in aerospace, additive manufacturing (3D printing), biomedical engineering, and more. The company’s metal spherical powders are compatible with various 3D printing and near-net shaping technologies, including Selective Laser Melting (SLM, 15-53μm), Electron Beam Melting (EBM, 53-106μm), Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS, 50-150μm), Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP, 75-250μm), and Thermal Spray (22-212μm).