3D Printing

Allegheny to Supply Aerospace with Nickel Superalloy for 3D Printing

As a response to the growing demand for additively manufactured parts in aerospace for jet engines, as well as high demand in the electrical energy, medical, gas and oil markets, metals producer Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (ATI) announced a self-funded expansion of their nickel-based superalloy powder capabilities at the company’s Specialty Materials business unit near Monroe, North Carolina. The expansion is projected to cost about $70 million dollars and will take about two years to complete.

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Rich Harshman, ATI’s Chairman, President and CEO, explains the motivation for the expansion, “This strategic growth project will strengthen ATI’s position in the production of technically demanding superalloy powders used to produce advanced mill products and forgings, primarily for next-generation jet engines.” Harshman continues, “A significant portion of the powders to be produced from this expansion are needed to meet requirements of existing long-term agreements with jet engine OEMs that run well into the next decade. The expansion also better positions ATI to continue as a leading innovator supplying advanced powders to the new and rapidly growing additive manufacturing industry. This expansion builds on ATI’s existing powder capabilities located at facilities in Oakdale, PA near Pittsburgh, which are currently operating near capacity. The expansion is included in our multi-year capital expenditure target of approximately $200 million annually.”

Nickel-based super-alloy powders are likely to be a leading material in the future of manufacturing, as they provide extreme alloy compositions and a sophisticated microstructure that offers components a longer life and better performance in highly corrosive and high-temperature environments. And, as 3D printing is used more frequently for the production of high performance parts in the aerospace industry, demand of the two should grow hand in hand.