AML3D signs contract to test copper-nickel alloy for US Navy
September 12, 2023
AML3D Limited, headquartered in Edinburgh, Australia, has announced a new contract to characterise and test an alloy for the US Navy’s submarine programme. The contract involves the development and testing of additively manufactured Copper-Nickel (CuNi) components. BlueForge Alliance – a non-profit, neutral integrator that supports the strengthening and sustainment of the US Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base through technology adoption and acceleration –has signed the contract.
The successful completion of this CuNi alloy testing programme has the potential to broaden the range of materials and applications within the US Defense sector that AML3D’s ARCEMY metal Additive Manufacturing machines can be utilised for. This contract will begin immediately and is expected to run for a period of fourteen to sixteen weeks. The alloy characterisation and testing will be conducted at AML3D’s facility in Adelaide, South Australia.
The CuNi alloy testing contract, valued at approximately AUS $0.35 million ($0.23 million), will be conducted simultaneously with the nickel-aluminium-bronze (NAB) alloy characterisation, corrosion, and strength testing programme for the US Department of Defence, which was recently extended.
This new contract highlights the increasing momentum of expanding AML3D’s range of metal AM alloys that meet the US Navy’s qualification standard. This is in line with AML3D’s goal of becoming a point-of-need Additive Manufacturing technology solution to address supply chain constraints within the US Navy’s submarine program. The US is the largest Additive Manufacturing market globally and AML3D’s most important growth market.
AML3D Interim CEO Sean Ebert stated, “It is exciting to see this acceleration of further alloy testing and validation of AML3D’s ARCEMY metal 3D Printing technology within the US Defence sector. The Cu-Ni contract has the potential to cast a far wider net over parts that can be made for the US Navy using our technology. The positive implications for expanding our scope to Cu-Ni alloy parts is significant – a point highlighted with our recent $2.0M order for nickel-aluminium-bronze parts coming not long after a successful testing programme.”
“This new validation programme is further evidence of AML3D developing a long-term, strategic partnership with key stakeholders within the US Navy’s submarine program. AML3D’s continuing success in the US is expected to continue to create additional opportunities in that market over and above the AUS$5.1 million of sales already achieved so far this year. It is also expected to provide a template for accessing the defence markets of AUK-US Alliance partners Australia and the UK over the medium to longer term,” Ebert concluded.
