6K
6K In718 Turbine blade_2765_1
6K has announced the introduction of its Onyx In718 premium additive manufacturing powder.
The powder is being exhibited at Formnext alongside more than 15 other metal alloys, ceramic powders and a host of 3D printed parts.
6K’s Onyx In718 material has been developed from certified chemistry machined turnings and used additive manufacturing powders using the company’s UniMelt microwave plasma system. UniMelt was introduced to market earlier this month to derive materials from sustainable sources and enable higher-performing characteristics, such as higher sphericity, zero porosity, higher flowability and tap density.
Through its metals reclamation technology, 6K can specifically target the powder size distribution to the additive manufacturing process of need, including laser powder bed fusion, electron beam melting, direct energy deposition, binder-jetting or metal injection moulding. This is said to enable almost 100% UniMelt process yield, which is as much as three to four times higher than gas atomization, per 6K.
“Our mission is to provide a better business case for designers and users of additive manufacturing parts and higher performance powders are a critical piece of that mission,” commented Dr. Aaron Bent, 6K CEO. “Nickel alloy 718, which is critical for aerospace and industrial markets, is the perfect alloy to showcase the unique capability and powerfulness of the 6K powder production process. We are demonstrating powders and parts derived from both subtractive manufacturing certified turnings and powders rejuvenated after laser powder bed processing.”
“6K powders offer a unique and powerful value proposition for the additive manufacturing customer and 3D printing companies,” added Dr Youping Gao, CEO of Castheon, a leading US-based additive manufacturing research and comprehensive advanced manufacturing solution provider. “Using 6K’s Onyx powders, we are achieving higher strengths and elongation than I have seen before. It is also possible to achieve isotropic grain structure after heat treatment, resulting in near isotropic properties, which is very exciting.”
6K will be commissioning a new state-of-the-art additive manufacturing powder manufacturing plant in Pittsburgh, USA in Q1/2020 and is currently partnering with customers to pre-qualify and sample Onyx In718 in anticipation of commercial availability in Q2/2020. 6K Additive will follow by launching Ti-AlV64 in Q3/2020.
The company is exhibiting at Formnext in Hall 12.0, Stand E22.
