“Binder jetting is delivering industrial-scale production today and extending such production to high-performing alloys requires a rigorous materials development program,” said Brett Harris, Global HP Metal Jet Product Manager, HP Additive Manufacturing Solutions.
Continuum Powders will bring its expertise in producing high-performance powders here. Both partners will execute a multi-step program starting with the development of OptiPowder M247LC, a low-carbon, nickel-based superalloy engineered for high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance in aerospace and energy applications.
The program covers the entire value chain, starting with powder characterization, where Continuum’s Melt-to-Powder process ensures tight control over chemistry, particle size distribution, and morphology to meet binder jetting requirements. HP AM’s Barcelona R&D team will then fine-tune print parameters to achieve part densities above 98% of theoretical, ensuring consistent green strength and predictable sintering behavior. Finally, the project will assess hardness, microstructure — including the γ/γ′ phase distribution — and mechanical performance to validate compliance with aerospace-grade standards.
“This collaboration underscores the future of additive manufacturing—where best-in-class printing platforms meet sustainable, high-quality powders,” said Don Magnuson, Senior Vice President of Continuum Powders. “Working alongside HP, we are not just qualifying materials; we are enabling binder jetting of superalloys once considered out of reach. This means higher-performance parts, reduced supply chain risk, and faster pathways to production.”
The Continuum–HP collaboration is designed as a scalable framework: once M247LC is qualified, additional high-value alloys—including other nickel superalloys and future titanium grades—can be advanced through the same rigorous methodology. This positions binder jetting as a production-ready solution for aerospace, defense, and energy applications where performance and reliability are non-negotiable, a press release reads.
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