INDO-MIM qualifies Continuum’s Ni718 for Binder Jetting
INDO-MIM, headquartered in Bengaluru, India, has qualified OptiPowder Ni718 from Continuum Powders, based in Houston, Texas, USA, using its HP Metal Jet S100 Binder Jetting (BJT) Additive Manufacturing machines.
In extensive evaluations, INDO-MIM reported achieving sintered parts with density levels exceeding 98% of theoretical, with consistent hardness values (74–79 HR15N) and tightly controlled carbon content (0.013–0.014%) across multiple sinter runs.
“Qualifying Ni718 on the HP Metal Jet S100 is a major step forward for binder jet adoption in high-performance industries,” said Jag Holla, Sr VP Marketing, INDO-MIM Additive Technologies. “This milestone demonstrates INDO-MIM’s commitment to advancing Binder Jetting into production and enabling our customers to benefit from scalable, cost-effective solutions for superalloy components.”
According to INDO-MIM, metallographic analysis confirmed OptiPowder Ni718 exhibited the powder quality required for denser parts in BJT Additive Manufacturing, enabling the expected gamma phase microstructure critical to Ni718’s high-temperature strength and oxidation resistance.
Because of its ability to withstand extreme environments, Ni718 is one of the most widely used superalloys in aerospace, defence, and energy applications. According to Continuum, the successful qualification of OptiPowder Ni718 on a Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing machine may enable scaled production of high-performance components while leveraging BJT’s speed and cost advantages.
“This qualification is an important milestone not just for INDO-MIM, but for the wider adoption of Binder Jetting,” stated Dr Mukund Nagaraj, Senior Manager – Additive Manufacturing Operations, INDO-MIM. “By combining our production expertise with Continuum’s US-based environmentally friendly powders, we’re demonstrating that binder jet can deliver complex, high-value components with the consistency and performance our customers demand.”
“Achieving this milestone with INDO-MIM on an HP Metal Jet S100 system represents a breakthrough for binder jet adoption in aerospace, defence, and energy,” added Rob Higby, CEO of Continuum Powders**.** “Our OptiPowder line is designed for high repeatability and performance, and this qualification demonstrates its readiness for the most demanding applications while achieving significant positive environmental impact and securing US sourcing for powder and parts.”
