US-Made Copper-Nickel Powder for US Navy: Velo3D and Linde AMT Partnership

US-Based Copper-Nickel Production Strengthens Navy Supply Chain

Velo3D and Linde Advanced Material Technologies (AMT) have joined forces to deliver a domestically sourced supply of Copper-Nickel (CuNi) 70-30 alloy powder, marking a strategic milestone in US defence manufacturing. This partnership supports the US Navy and the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program, aiming to enhance the production of corrosion-resistant components essential to naval operations.

The CuNi alloy, known for its high resistance to seawater corrosion, is critical for shipboard piping, cooling systems, and structural applications. Linde AMT’s Indianapolis-based metal powder facility will produce the alloy, while Velo3D’s large-format Sapphire XC printer enables on-demand, precision part manufacturing. Together, they offer a vertically integrated, fully domestic solution, reducing supply chain vulnerabilities and reinforcing US defence autonomy.

This collaboration directly supports the Navy’s fleet readiness and shipbuilding modernisation efforts. Under the agreement, Velo3D will operate a dedicated printer year-round, using Linde’s US-made CuNi powder at no cost to participating Navy or MIB stakeholders.

US-Made Copper-Nickel Powder

The initiative arrives on the heels of Velo3D’s recent award from the US Navy to develop and qualify CuNi components using advanced additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. The use of US-made Copper-Nickel powder ensures compliance with defence sourcing mandates while addressing growing demands for corrosion-resistant alloys in naval systems.

According to Arun Jeldi, CEO of Velo3D, this partnership enables a secure and agile defence supply chain. “We deliver a scalable manufacturing solution that aligns with our nation’s defence priorities,” he stated. Meanwhile, Andy Shives, Global Sales Director at Linde AMT, noted the firm’s Indiana facility has expanded atomisation capacity to meet increased military and industrial needs.

This agreement not only meets urgent Navy requirements but also creates a blueprint for future distributed AM networks—leveraging domestic powder production and advanced printers to ensure supply agility in defence-critical applications.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

This partnership underscores a major pivot in US military manufacturing—toward fully domestic, scalable, and additive-driven production. As geopolitical tensions rise and supply chain resilience becomes non-negotiable, the Velo3D-Linde AMT model presents a tangible solution. Their collaboration demonstrates how additive manufacturing and localised powder production can synchronise to reduce lead times, cut costs, and increase defence readiness. For the broader metals and materials industry, this signals a growing opportunity in domestically produced specialty alloys like CuNi for high-integrity, defence-grade components.