ltraFine Powder Technology (UFP) is the only member of the powder metallurgy industry dedicated solely to the development and manufacture of fine alloy metal powders.

UFP's new atomization processes are breakthrough technologies, and represent some of the most significant advances in powder metal atomization in several decades. These processes and the expertise that go with them generate a higher yield of fine particles. These new efficiencies allow UFP to offer significant cost reduction to existing users of fine metal powders, and enable accelerated development of promising new applications of UltraFine metal powders.

History - UFP^® was founded in 1987 by scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and businessmen from the powder metallurgy industry to commercialize its unique gas atomization technology. Pilot operations were initiated in Ayer, Massachusetts in 1988. UFP moved into its current 24,000 sq. ft. facility in Woonsocket in late 1990. Production commenced in February 1991.

Process Capability - UFP now operates two processes at Woonsocket. The first is a production gas atomization system designed to produce large quantities of U1traFine® metal powders. The second is a vacuum melting, inert gas pilot scale atomizer. Gas atomized powders are produced in a 2,500 pound capacity inert gas melt furnace and subsequently classified or screened to a specified particle size distribution. The powders are spherical and very low in residual oxygen and nitrogen. Final particle distributions can be sized from 3 to 80 microns. Numerous experimental alloys have been produced on the pilot scale atomizer with charge sizes up to 400 pounds.

Products - Gas atomized powders are produced in ferrous, nickel, cobalt, and copper alloys. Shape Modified Powders (SMP) are gas atomized powders that have been subsequently cold-worked to develop an aspect ratio. Size capability runs from 1 to 80 microns.

Applications - U1traFine powders are used in metal injection molding, electronic pastes, computer disk drives, medical instrumentation, aerospace, grinding wheels, metallurgical additives, sputtering targets, rapid prototyping and defense applications. UFP specializes in custom powders for unique applications and maintains pilot melt capability for trial runs of special alloys.