Kennametal offers new carbide grade for additive manufacturing

KAR85-AM-K is the most corrosion-resistant tungsten-carbide grade for metal AM, says cutting tool and materials supplier Kennametal Inc.

Wear parts made from the grade by the binder-jet 3D printing process are available exclusively from Kennametal Additive Manufacturing. The company said field trials currently are underway on KAR85-AM-K parts for some of its customers in the oil and gas and power generation industries.

The new grade features a proprietary blend of cobalt, nickel, and chromium. It’s Kennametal’s second commercial carbide grade developed for use with its binder-jet additive processes, and the latest addition to the tool manufacturer’s portfolio of high-performance metal powders optimized for 3D printing.