Scalmalloy®, a metal 3D printing powder approved for Formula 1 and developed by APWORKS, could potentially be produced in the USA. The AM service provider is currently in discussions with material producer Equispheres to make this a reality in the North American market.
Both companies are also trying to align on distribution, and technical considerations.
“Scalmalloy powder made in Equispheres’ North American facility will eliminate many of the adoption barriers that have historically limited the use of this alloy in critical programs,” added Evan Butler-Jones, Vice-President of Product & Strategy at Equispheres. “By combining the excellent properties of Scalmalloy with our proprietary powder technology, we can deliver an ideal material solution for the most demanding AM applications.”
Facts about Scalmalloy®
Scalmalloy® is a proprietary high-strength aluminum alloy designed specifically for Additive Manufacturing (AM). The patented aluminum-magnesium-scandium alloy offers mechanical properties comparable to 7000 series aluminum and is engineered for optimal performance in metal AM. It is currently licensed to producers in Europe and Asia. However, Equispheres will be the first to establish a North American supply chain, using primarily locally sourced raw materials.
- It can achieve similar mechanical performance to forged aluminum parts.
- It is only available through licensed distributors.
- It was designed and purpose-built for laser powder bed fusion.
- It has a proven track record and a large existing base of materials data.
- It has good corrosion resistance, similar to 5000 series aluminum alloys.
- Parts made of Scalmalloy can be welded to form larger assemblies.
“Equispheres is a logical choice for expanding Scalmalloy production into North America,” said Jonathan Meyer, CEO of APWORKS. “They are widely regarded for their expertise in producing high-quality aluminum powders for Additive Manufacturing, and their access to domestic sources of aluminum and scandium is an important factor in supply chain resilience in an increasingly uncertain world.”
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