Desktop Metal qualifies 100% recycled Ni superalloy from Continuum
September 12, 2024
Desktop Metal, Inc., headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, USA, has announced that it has qualified Mar-M247 powder, a 100% recycled nickel-based superalloy from Continuum Powders, for use in its X25Pro Binder Jetting (BJT) Additive Manufacturing machine.
“We see a bright future for high-quality, sustainable powder options for our Additive manufacturing technologies,” said Ric Fulop, CEO of Desktop Metal. “Having a qualified 100% reclaimed metal powder from Continuum Powders is just a first step in what we hope is a long line of recycled, eco-conscious materials that offer a significant return on investment.”
The nickel-based superalloy, MAR-M247, is used for applications requiring high strength at elevated temperatures of up to around 1,000°C.
As with all of Desktop Metal’s R&D qualified materials, Continuum’s recycled Mar-M247 received thorough evaluation and rigorous testing to determine that it met all of the material property requirements of the same alloy from conventional metal powder production.
“The fact that we’re seeing reclaimed metal powders validated by Desktop Metal, along with other leading AM OEMs, signals that these materials are now a proven resource for manufacturers,” shared Continuum Powders’ CEO Rob Higby. “Use of recycled powders can shorten supply chains, reduce costs and support corporate goals for carbon footprint reduction.”
Desktop Metal’s material qualification process
As Desktop Metal’s Binder Jetting machines can reportedly additively manufacture almost any powder, the company has a tiered material qualification system for metals to signify the varying levels of material property results produced by its technology. These include:
- DM Qualified: Manufacturing and sintering profiles developed by DM, with fully characterised material and mechanical properties; meets MPIF or other similar standards, where available
- Customer-Qualified: These materials have been qualified by its customers with their own standards and are being successfully manufactured for its own applications
- R&D Materials: Initial testing completed by DM demonstrating binder and process compatibility, but manufacturing and sintering profiles are under final development.
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