In additive manufacturing, the line between what’s possible and what’s proven is often defined by material innovation. That’s what makes the recent collaboration between AmPd Labs and Continuum Powders so significant. Together, the teams successfully qualified OptiPowder M247, a nickel-based superalloy traditionally used in casting, for metal binder jetting applications.
M247 is prized for its exceptional strength and heat resistance, making it a cornerstone alloy for turbine blades, hot-section components, and other high-temperature systems in aerospace and energy sectors. Yet, its reliance on casting has historically constrained supply and design flexibility. By adapting the alloy for binder jet printing, AmPd Labs and Continuum have opened new pathways for production—enabling faster iteration, shorter lead times, and greater domestic sourcing flexibility.
“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.”
From Reclaimed Scrap to Qualified Powder
The qualification was made possible through Continuum’s Greyhound Melt-to-Powder (M2P) platform, which transforms reclaimed aerospace-grade materials into high-performance, ASTM-grade powder. At AmPd Labs, this low-carbon M247 demonstrated excellent flow and spread characteristics, translating into reliable printing performance and first-time-right geometry—key factors for scaling binder jet applications.
To validate performance, extensive powder-flow characterization was conducted at Rice University’s Particle Flow and Tribology Lab, confirming Continuum’s M247 as an excellent candidate for binder jetting.
See It in Action
Shot on location at AmPd Labs (Houston, TX), this short video captures the qualification process for Continuum’s OptiPowder M247 and the collaboration behind it.
Highlights:
- Low-carbon M247 powder engineered for binder jet flow and spread
- Proven process reliability and first-time-right geometry at AmPd Labs
- A pathway to faster lead times and domestic sourcing
As demand grows for advanced alloys and resilient supply chains, innovations like this one demonstrate the potential of reclaimed materials in unlocking new frontiers for additive manufacturing.
