Kennametal launches KAF82 tungsten carbide grade for Additive Manufacturing
Kennametal Inc, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, has launched KAF82, a tungsten carbide grade developed for the Additive Manufacturing of custom hole-finishing tools. The material is intended to enable the production of complex tool geometries and optimised cooling channels, while helping to reduce lead times for customised tooling.
KAF82 is reported to be the first fully dense Additive Manufacturing tungsten carbide grade of its kind to be commercialised at scale, with proven performance in metal-cutting applications. Its development is said to draw on the company’s Powder Metallurgy and sintering expertise.
According to Kennametal, tooling produced using KAF82 can be developed and manufactured in weeks rather than months. The powder is produced internally and is not sold externally.
“Because we engineer our own powders and control the entire process, we can push the boundaries of Additive Manufacturing and help customers bring highly engineered custom hole-finishing tools to production faster,” stated Dr Carlonda Reilly, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Kennametal.
The company reports that two automotive OEMs have integrated custom tooling made with KAF82 into their production lines, demonstrating its use in high-volume production environments.
Ed Rusnica, Vice President of Technology, Kennametal, added, “Additive changes the way customers think about metal cutting tools – from designing within constraints to engineering for performance.”
Kennametal is targeting applications in aerospace and defence, energy, general engineering and transportation. The company states that KAF82 can also reduce tungsten use compared with conventional manufacturing methods.
The new grade is part of Kennametal’s vertically integrated Additive Manufacturing capability, which includes proprietary powder production, processing, sintering and finishing. It builds on the company’s broader Additive Manufacturing, where Binder Jetting technology has already enabled solutions for complex, high-wear applications that traditional methods could not achieve.
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Kennametal: The story of the successful commercialisation of AM hardmetal and steel solutions
