AP&C to supply Titomic with titanium powders for TKF 3D printing

Titomic Limited, an Australia-based expert in metal AM solutions, has entered into a powder supply partnership with GE Additive-owned powder producer AP&C. Through the agreement, AP&C will supply Titanium Ti6Al4V powder to Titomic for its Titomic Kinetic Fusion (TKF) technology.

In addition to the supply agreement, the two companies have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) through which they will co-develop new titanium and titanium alloy powders for the TKF process, which uses a cold-gas dynamic spraying technique to build titanium components for aerospace and other demanding applications.

AP&C, a Quebec-based producer of metal powders, was founded in 2006 and became a key supplier to Swedish company Arcam AB, which acquired it in 2014. When Arcam AB was acquired by GE Additive in 2017, AP&C also came under the AM giant’s umbrella. Over the years, AP&C’s metal powders—including titanium, nickel and aluminum—have been sought after in the aerospace, defense, biomedical and industrial sectors. Titomic is the latest company to seek a secure global supply of aerospace-grade titanium powders from the powder manufacturer.

“AP&C, a GE Additive Company, is a global leader in the production of the aerospace grade Titanium and Titanium alloy powders, using its Plasma Atomisation Manufacturing process, which have the ideal characteristics for Titomic Kinetic Fusion process,” explained Titomic Managing Director Jeff Lang. “These agreements provide Titomic with not only with a secure metal powders supply from AP&C, a reputable multinational company, but also allows for continuous improvement under a strong collaboration between the parties of their own unique capabilities for future digital manufacturing solutions for industries.”

The MoU signed by Titomic and AP&C will bring the companies together to develop titanium and titanium alloy powders for the former’s TFK additive manufacturing technology. As per the MoU, the companies will cooperate in three key fields:

• Co-developing industry standards of best practice for the storage and safe handling of titanium and titanium alloy powders;
• Developing custom homogenization powder systems for titanium and titanium alloy powders for Titomic’s TKF process; and
• Exploring the optimization of coarse titanium and titanium alloy powders (50um – 150um) for use with TKF technology to reduce material costs.

Alain Dupont, President & CEO of AP&C, added “This agreement is a significant milestone in the supply of large volumes of Titanium and Titanium Alloy powders, and we’re delighted to be working with a recognized leader and manufacturing innovator Titomic, to produce best practice standards for the future to lead the development of industry standards for Titanium powders.”