Collaboration expands access to high-performance alloys for aerospace, defense, and energy industries
Houston, TX – October 16, 2025 – AmPd Labs has announced the successful qualification of Continuum Powders’ OptiPowder M247 nickel-based superalloy powder on its metal binder jetting systems. This milestone marks one of the first demonstrations of low carbon M247, an alloy traditionally limited to casting, successfully printed for end-use products.
Shot on location at AmPd Labs (Houston, TX), this short video documents the qualification of Continuum’s OptiPowder M247 for metal binder jetting. M247’s move from casting-only to binder-jet-ready opens new possibilities for high-temperature aerospace and energy components, with improved design freedom and supply-chain resilience.
M247 is widely used in demanding applications such as turbine blades and hot-section components for aerospace and energy systems due to its high strength and heat resistance. Until now, its use has been constrained by a limited casting supply chain. By qualifying Continuum’s M247 powder for binder jet, AmPd Labs and Continuum are helping unlock new design possibilities, faster lead times, and improved supply chain resiliency.
“This collaboration demonstrates the unique potential of powders from reclaimed materials in unlocking critical alloys for advanced manufacturing, said Don Magnuson, Sr. VP Sales at Continuum Powders. “By providing a consistent, high-quality domestic supply of low carbon M247, Continuum and AmPd are enabling manufacturers to adopt binder jetting for applications that previously relied solely on casting.”
The qualification leverages Continuum’s Greyhound Melt-to-Powder (M2P) platform, which transforms reclaimed aerospace-grade materials into ASTM-grade powders. Extensive powder-flow characterization conducted at Rice University’s Particle Flow and Tribology Lab showed that Continuum’s M247 exhibits high flowability and spreadability, at least partially due to its high particle density. Compared to several stainless-steel AM powders also characterized, M247 was estimated to be best suited for binder-jetting applications based on these flow tests.
For AmPd Labs, the partnership solves historical powder sourcing challenges and provides a flexible pathway to address customer needs.
“With Continuum powder, we’re able to achieve what hasn’t been achieved on a Desktop Metal binder jet system—printing low carbon M247 for end-use products”, said Tim Neal, CEO of AmPd Labs. “This is a game changer for our customers, as it combines reliable domestic supply with the performance demanded in aerospace and energy sectors.”
Sean Harkins, Co-Founder and COO of AmPd Labs, added: “The usability of Continuum’s powder has been excellent. It flows reliably, spreads consistently, and allows us to deliver first-time-right geometry in fewer iterations. That reliability is critical for our aerospace customers, and it’s only possible because of the collaboration with Continuum”.
Sean Harkins – Co-Founder and COO of AmPd Labs
A BCG analysis on aerospace supply chains reports that casting & forging capacity is an “acute pain point,” with extremely long lead times (6 to 18+ months for some parts) and significant supply risk, creating strategic vulnerability*.
With global demand for M247 growing across aerospace, defense, and power generation, the ability to deliver binder-jet-ready powder represents a significant opportunity for manufacturers seeking greater flexibility and resilience in their supply chains.
About AmPd Labs
AmPd Labs is a Houston-based additive manufacturing service provider specializing in metal binder jetting. The company delivers advanced solutions for aerospace, energy, oil and gas, and industrial sectors, focusing on quality, speed, and innovation.
About Continuum Powders
Continuum Powders delivers certified metal powder solutions engineered for performance, reliability, and sustainability. From sourcing powder to ensuring consistent availability and building a circular supply chain, we support manufacturers through trusted partnerships and advanced metal reclamation capabilities.
For more information, visit continuumpowders.com.
Media Contact:
Amir Iliaifar
Marketing Communications Director
*Source: Boston Consulting Group