Continuum Powders Recycles Scrap Metal into High-Quality ASTM-Grade Powders for Additive Manufacturing

Innovative Approach to Metal Powder Recycling
Continuum Powders, a California-based company, is tackling the environmental and supply chain challenges of the metal powder industry by transforming metal scrap into high-quality powders suitable for Additive Manufacturing (AM). Their process, which reclaims used metal parts and repurposes them into high-grade, ASTM-certified powders, offers a sustainable alternative to traditional metal powder production. This breakthrough solution not only reduces waste but also provides manufacturers with a cost-effective, reliable source of material for advanced manufacturing.

Sustainability at the Core of Metal Powder Production
The conventional metal powder industry relies heavily on the extraction of virgin materials, a process that is both resource-intensive and environmentally damaging. Mining contributes to habitat destruction, carbon emissions, and fluctuating raw material prices. Continuum Powders is addressing these challenges by adopting a circular economy approach, which maximizes the use of existing materials and minimizes environmental impact. By converting metal scrap into powder, the company reduces the need for new material extraction, helping to lower energy consumption and carbon footprint.

The Scrap-to-Powder Process: A Detailed Overview
Continuum Powders employs a highly efficient, multi-step process to convert scrap metal into premium powder for AM applications. The process includes:

1. Collection and Sorting: Scrap metal is collected and meticulously sorted based on material type and alloy composition to ensure purity and quality.
2. Cleaning and Preprocessing: The sorted scrap undergoes a cleaning process to remove impurities such as dirt, oil, and rust, ensuring the final powder is free from contaminants.
3. Size Reduction: The cleaned metal is then reduced in size, preparing it for the next stage of atomisation.
4. Atomisation: In this critical step, the metal is melted and atomised into fine powder particles using gas or water. This process produces uniform, spherical particles that are ideal for AM.
5. Quality Control: The atomised powder undergoes rigorous quality testing to ensure it meets ASTM-grade standards for applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics.

Advanced Greyhound M2P Technology: Transforming the Industry
At the heart of Continuum Powders’ innovation is its proprietary Greyhound Melt-to-Powder (M2P) technology, which converts reclaimed metal scrap directly into high-quality powder. This single-step process optimizes the powder’s particle size, flowability, and shape for use in various AM processes, including Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) and Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB). The technology also contributes to a more sustainable supply chain by reducing the energy and waste typically associated with traditional powder production.

Advantages of Using Reclaimed Metal Powders

• Environmental Benefits: By recycling metal scrap into high-quality powder, Continuum Powders helps reduce the need for virgin material extraction, lowering environmental impact and supporting a circular economy.
• Cost-Effective Solution: The reclamation process allows manufacturers to obtain premium powders at a lower cost compared to buying virgin metal powders, making it a more affordable option for AM applications.
• Consistency and Quality: The company’s rigorous quality control ensures that reclaimed powders meet or exceed the performance of virgin powders, providing the same strength, ductility, and impact resistance required for demanding applications.
• Stable Supply Chain: Reclaimed powders offer a more predictable and resilient supply chain, mitigating risks associated with the volatility of raw material prices.
  A Sustainable Future for Metal Powder Manufacturing

Continuum Powders is leading the charge in creating a more sustainable and efficient metal powder industry. By recycling metal scrap and transforming it into ASTM-grade powders, the company is helping to reduce waste, lower costs, and support a circular economy. As the demand for metal powders in Additive Manufacturing grows, Continuum Powders’ innovative approach is providing manufacturers with a reliable, eco-friendly material solution.