Velo3D and Linde AMT partner on US-made Copper-Nickel powder for US Navy
Velo3D, Inc, Fremont, California, USA, and Linde Advanced Material Technologies Inc., have signed an agreement to supply domestically produced CuNi (70-30 Copper-Nickel) powder in support of the US Navy and the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program. The collaboration aims to provide a fully US-based solution for producing corrosion-resistant copper-nickel components used in naval systems.
By leveraging Linde AMT’s Indianapolis-based metal powder facility and Velo3D’s Sapphire XC large-format AM machine, the partners aim to strengthen national manufacturing resiliency while enabling faster production of key parts for shipbuilding and fleet readiness.
CuNi is widely used in naval systems for its exceptional resistance to seawater corrosion and biofouling, and its mechanical strength and durability in harsh marine environments. Its thermal conductivity and ductility make it ideal for shipboard piping, cooling systems, and structural components requiring long-term performance and reliability.
The agreement follows the recent award to Velo3D by the US Navy to develop, qualify, and additively manufacture CuNi components for shipbuilding modernisation. Under this agreement, Velo3D will operate a dedicated Sapphire XC printer using Linde AMT’s US-made CuNi powder to support year-round production, reportedly at no cost to participating Navy and MIB stakeholders.
Andy Shives, Global Director of Sales, shared, “This collaboration with Velo3D ensures a vertically integrated, U.S.-made solution of powder, printers, and parts all produced domestically.”
“Our Indiana powder facility has completed another atomisation expansion and is primed to scale high-quality powder production to meet current and future defence demands,” Shives added.
Arun Jeldi, CEO of Velo3D, commented, “Partnering with Linde AMT supports our mission to bolster the Navy’s surge capacity and accelerate modernisation.”
“Together, we deliver an agile, secure, and scalable manufacturing solution that aligns with our nation’s defence priorities,” Jeldi continued.
This new agreement aims to enable the Navy to tap into a distributed, scalable additive network, leveraging Linde AMT’s powder capacity and Velo3D’s machine for increased readiness, reduced downtime, and may serve as a model for future agile defence manufacturing, the companies state.
