Continuum and HP AM collaborate on materials qualification

Continuum Powders, a licensed steel powder options supplier, and HP Additive Manufacturing Options have entered right into a cooperation settlement to speed up the event of high-performance alloys utilizing HP’s Steel Jet S100 Printing Answer.

The primary alloy beneath improvement is OptiPowder M247LC, a low-carbon, nickel-based superalloy engineered for high-temperature power and corrosion resistance in aerospace and vitality purposes.

Collectively, the businesses will execute a multi-phase improvement program that features: powder characterization (Continuum’s Soften-to-Powder course of delivers tight management over chemistry, particle dimension distribution, and morphology to satisfy binder jet necessities); print parameter improvement (HP AM’s Barcelona R&D staff will optimize course of settings to realize half densities exceeding 98% of theoretical, with repeatable inexperienced power and sintering response); and mechanical and metallurgical properties (this system will consider hardness, microstructure [γ/γ′ phase distribution], and mechanical properties to verify aerospace-grade efficiency).

“This collaboration underscores the way forward for additive manufacturing – the place best-in-class printing platforms meet sustainable, high-quality powders,” stated Don Magnuson, Senior Vice President of Continuum Powders. “Working alongside HP, we aren’t simply qualifying supplies; we’re enabling binder jetting of superalloys as soon as thought of out of attain. This implies higher-performance elements, lowered provide chain threat, and quicker pathways to manufacturing.”

“Binder jetting is delivering industrial-scale manufacturing at the moment, and increasing such manufacturing to high-performing alloys requires a rigorous supplies improvement program,” stated Brett Harris, World HP Steel Jet Product Supervisor, HP Additive Manufacturing Options. “With Continuum, we’re demonstrating the robustness of the Steel Jet S100 system throughout demanding alloys like OptiPowder M247LC – guaranteeing our clients can transfer from pilot runs to full-scale manufacturing with confidence.”