Continuum Powders and INDO-MIM qualify Ni718 for binder jet production

Continuum Powders and INDO-MIM Inc. have completed qualification of a U.S.-sourced Inconel 718 powder for binder jet additive manufacturing, meeting performance benchmarks for density, hardness, and chemical consistency using the HP Metal Jet S100 system.

The partners report that INDO-MIM, a metal injection molding and additive manufacturing service provider, successfully processed Continuum’s OptiPowder Ni718 to produce sintered components with density levels exceeding 98% of theoretical. The parts demonstrated consistent hardness values between 74 and 79 HR15N and maintained carbon content between 0.013% and 0.014% across multiple sintering runs.

These results confirm the powder’s suitability for the serial production of nickel-based superalloy components, particularly in applications that demand high strength and oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures.

“Qualifying Ni718 on the HP Metal Jet S100 is a major step forward for binder jet adoption in high-performance industries,” said Jag Holla, Senior Vice President of Marketing at INDO-MIM Additive Technologies. “This milestone demonstrates INDO-MIM’s commitment to advancing binder jetting into production and enabling our customers to benefit from scalable, cost-effective solutions for superalloy components.”
According to the companies, metallographic evaluations confirmed that the powder exhibited the gamma-phase microstructure expected of Ni718, which is critical for performance in aerospace, defense, and energy environments.

“By combining our production expertise with Continuum’s U.S.-based, environmentally friendly powders, we’re demonstrating that binder jet can deliver complex, high-value components with the consistency and performance our customers demand,” said Dr. Mukund Nagaraj, Director of Additive Manufacturing at INDO-MIM.

Rob Higby, CEO of Continuum Powders, emphasized the broader significance of the qualification: “Achieving this milestone with INDO-MIM on an HP Metal Jet S100 system represents a breakthrough for binder jet adoption,” said Higby. “Our OptiPowder line is designed for high repeatability and performance, and this qualification demonstrates its readiness for the most demanding applications while also supporting U.S.-based sourcing and environmental sustainability.”

Inconel 718 (Ni718) is widely used in mission-critical components across aerospace, defense, and energy sectors due to its mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. The ability to process it via binder jetting offers a path to higher production volumes and lower costs than traditional manufacturing or laser powder bed fusion methods.