IperionX LTD will collaborate with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop low-cost, 3D-printing applications for the Charlotte company’s titanium metal powders.
The U.S. Department of Energy has approved a user agreement between IperionX (NASDAQ: IPX) and the laboratory to use DOE’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility in Knoxville, Tennessee. The 11,000 square-foot facility is nation’s only large-scale facility for demonstrating manufacturing technologies in research and development stages. Neither IperionX or DOE, which operates Oak Ridge, have disclosed the financial details of the agreement.
The effort will focus on 3D printing and other additive-manufacturing processes to fabricate titanium parts for the transportation sector, including heavy trucks and aircraft components, where that material has an advantage over traditional aluminum and stainless-steel parts.
A company spokeswoman says such work is important for sustainable manufacturing going forward.
“Titanium is as light as aluminum and will be a game-changer for the aerospace industry. Parts produced by titanium weigh up to 55% less while reducing raw material used by up to 90%,” she says. “Every kilogram saved prevents 25 tons of CO2 emissions during the lifespan of an aircraft.”
The company is already working with the U.S. Department of Defense to test additive-manufactured titanium components for flight-critical equipment.
IperionX is a critical-metals mining and manufacturing startup based in Charlotte.
