AM 4 AM launches a new high-strength aluminium alloy powder for laser-based additive manufacturing process

Advanced Materials for Additive Manufacturing (AM 4 AM), a Luxembourg-based cutting-edge business, engaged in creating novel materials especially suited for 3D printing, has launched a high-mechanical strength aluminium alloy powder called HiPerAl. This unique aluminium alloy powder has been made especially for procedures using lasers in additive manufacturing.

HiperAl powder, created through a partnership between AM 4 AM, Sirris, and LIST, produces components with the finest mechanical qualities without any cracks. HiperAl is committed to lightweight applications in space, aviation, and automobiles.

“After three years of development, we are proud to present our first material, HiPerAl. This alloy has been developed in the frame a Horizon 2020 European project and will be dedicated to lightweight applications that require high mechanical properties such as aeronautic, space and automotive. This material has been designed thanks to our atmospheric and cold plasma process which we will use to develop tens of new alloys in the forthcoming years,” said Maxime Delmée, CEO and founder of AM 4 AM.

It is claimed that the alloy, a zirconium derivative of 7000 series aluminium powder made using the company's unique cold plasma treatment, eliminates problems with porosities and fractures that may develop during aluminium processing.

“At AM 4 AM, we consider that the major part of the alloys used in conventional industry are not adapted to Additive Manufacturing and that we have to develop new ones that will be more suitable to these processes in term of element vapourisation, oxidation, reflectivity or cracks formation. HiPerAl has been designed in taking these phenomena into account in order to reach best quality parts for our customers,” added Delmée.