6K Additive and Metal Powder Works to produce copper and copper alloy AM powders
6K Additive, a specialist in the sustainable production of materials for additive manufacturing, and metal alloys and Metal Powder Works (MPW), a leader in solid state powder production, announced at Formnext the signing of an MOU and strategic partnership to produce pure copper, copper alloys, leading to strategically important powders such as copper/nickel, and bronze alloy powders for additive manufacturing. The high yield production achievable with both Metal Powder Works’ DirectPowder Process and 6K Additive’s UniMelt microwave plasma ensures economic advantages, faster time to market, and sustainable production from both feedstock creation and the production of these materials.
“The market for copper is eager for a scalable solution that can not only deliver high-quality material, but one that can bring simplicity to the supply chain with a very sustainable process,” said Frank Roberts, President of 6K Additive. “The synergies between our two organizations ensure customers can source their material sustainably, reliably, and with the quality that meets their stringent specifications.”
Metal Powder Works CEO and Founder John Barnes added, “This partnership is a win for both 6K Additive and Metal Powder Works, but most importantly for our customers who are looking to utilize copper for a variety of applications such as heat sinks, battery components, particularly for the rapidly growing EV market, and critical parts for the marine industry. This alliance with 6K Additive opens up MPW’s technology to provide more materials to the AM market.”
MPW’s DirectPowder process can produce powders tailored to the manufacturing process through its patented process that provides consistent powder size and shape. Its current powder portfolio includes high-strength aluminum and highly conductive copper powders, and new alloys are actively in development through the newly launched MPW Developer Network.
6K Additive is the world’s first producer of AM powder made from sustainable sources and offers a full suite of premium powder, including nickel, titanium, copper, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, and refractory metals such as tungsten, niobium, and rhenium. The proprietary UniMelt system is the world’s only microwave production-scale plasma system, with a highly uniform and precise plasma zone, zero contamination, and high throughput production capabilities.
