HP and Continuum collaborate to qualify M247 for metal Binder Jetting
Continuum Powders, based in Houston, Texas, USA, and HP Additive Manufacturing Solutions have entered into an agreement to accelerate the development of high-performance alloys using HP’s Metal Jet S100 Binder Jetting (BJT) Additive Manufacturing machine.
“This collaboration underscores the future of Additive Manufacturing, where best-in-class printing platforms meet sustainable, high-quality powders,” stated 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 first alloy in development is OptiPowder M247LC. This is a low-carbon, nickel-based superalloy engineered for high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance in aerospace and energy applications. The companies’ multi-phase development programme includes:
- Powder characterisation: Using Continuum’s Melt-to-Powder process to achieve control over chemistry, particle size distribution (PSD) and morphology to meet BJT requirements.
- Build parameter development: HP AM’s Barcelona, Spain, R&D team will work to optimise process settings to achieve part densities exceeding 98% of theoretical, with repeatable green strength and sintering response.
- Mechanical & metallurgical properties: The programme will evaluate hardness, microstructure (γ/γ′ phase distribution), and mechanical properties to confirm aerospace-grade performance.
“Binder Jetting is delivering industrial-scale production today and extending such production to high performing alloys requires a rigorous materials development programme,” added Brett Harris, Global HP Metal Jet Product Manager, HP Additive Manufacturing Solutions. “With Continuum, we are demonstrating the robustness of the Metal Jet S100 system across demanding alloys like OptiPowder M247LC, ensuring our customers can move from pilot runs to full-scale production with confidence.”
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 methodology. The development of this framework is intended to better position Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing as a production-ready solution for aerospace, defence, and energy applications.
www.continuumpowders.com
www.hp.com
