Kanthal invests in additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy

Swedish heating technology company Kanthal and metals research institute Swerim will invest in an ultra-modern atomizing equipment. The investment, worth 2 MEUR, will help Sweden maintain its world-leading position in the area of powder metallurgy.

Dilip Chandrasekaran, Head of R&D at KanthalThe new equipment is designed for research and development of both materials and the atomizing process as such, in the area of powder metallurgy. It allows for atomizing of powder batches up to about 85 kgs, both for additive manufacturing (AM) and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) applications. The unit has a high material and process flexibility, which means great possibilities in development of materials and processes aiming towards both AM and powder metallurgy (PM).

”The investment will enable unique possibilities for us to develop materials for AM and to get new products out on the market, faster”, says Dilip Chandrasekaran, Head of R&D at Kanthal. ”The cooperation with Swerim will also allow for world-class research within this field which is strategic both for Kanthal and for Sweden.”

The joint investment lays the ground for a long-term partnership where Kanthal gets access to Swerim’s 60 years’ of experience in powder metallurgy, metal AM, advanced structural analysis, testing and modelling.

Jesper Vang, research leader in AM and powder metallurgy at Swerim”Sweden is world-leading in the area of powder metals thanks to our long experience of in-depth research and continuous development of materials, processes and products”, says Jesper Vang, research leader in AM and powder metallurgy at Swerim. “The investment is a direct result of increased demand for research possibilities. To keep the leading position, Swedish companies have to be in the forefront when it comes to development of new materials and technologies”.