6K and 6K Additive, a developer of microwave plasma technology for the production of advanced materials, has been awarded a Phase ll SBIR program from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) following the strong success of its Phase I.
The Phase II program supports the development and commercialization of a domestic and commercially scalable supply chain for strategic high performance metal powders from scrap sources. Utilizing 6K's proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma platform, the program will demonstrate 6K's capability to source, process and reclaim nickel super-alloy scrap components, shop scrap and used powders for conversion into aerospace grade powders. The new powders will be used to additively manufacture real-world, discrete printed parts, which will demonstrate functionality in test beds or systems.
Dr. Aaron Bent, CEO of 6K, said, "As a company we are certainly pleased with the award, but more importantly, we are proud as an organization to help our country create and control a domestic supply for alloys such as nickel used for emerging production methods like additive manufacturing (AM). The recent COVID 19 pandemic highlights the importance of controlling supply chain and the renewed need for domestic production to avoid interruption of critical supplies."
"6K's UniMelt plasma production system is uniquely capable of converting high value metal scrap of numerous forms into high performance metal powders for AM, metal injection molding and other powder metallurgy production techniques," said a company spokesperson. "In doing so, it provides for the first time access to a vast domestic supply of strategically important metals and alloys such as nickel and titanium from machine shops, boneyards and sources of other used materials that are critical to the mission of the modern warfighter. The patented 6K process cleans, prepares and spheroidizes scrap alloys into high quality powders with performance superior to atomization technologies. This process will provide the U.S. military with a secure, traceable domestic supply of critical materials while eliminating unexpected performance anomalies due to questionable sourcing from foreign supply."
6K has worked with several members of Congress, gaining support for the company's efforts in utilizing defense scrap material as feedstock for the UniMelt process in support of reducing the dependence on foreign supply. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler commented on 6K's efforts in this area, saying, "Southwestern Pennsylvania's job creators, innovators and hardworking employees are critical to our national defense and efforts to provide vital resources to our warfighters. I was proud to secure funding to reduce dependence on foreign titanium and utilize American ingenuity to protect our national security."
6K recently commissioned a new 40,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art metal powder production facility and has begun shipping traditional powder products.
For more information contact:
6K
25 Commerce Way
North Andover, MA 01845
978-258-1645
info@6kinc
www.6kinc.com
6K Additive
1000 South Chester St.
New Cumberland, WV 26047
304-564-5694
info@6kinc
www.6kinc.com