Critical Alloy Powder Pilot

MaterialsYoungstown, USAFounded 2024· One of 970 Materials companies tracked by AMPulse

A strategic pilot initiative focused on industrializing the production of critical alloy powders to secure the U.S. additive manufacturing supply chain for defense and aerospace applications.

CEO / Founder: Ben DiMarco
Team Size: 51-200
Stage: Active
Total Funding: $14.9M
Latest Round: Grant
Key Investors: Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), America Makes (NCDMM)

Technology & Products

Key Products

Pilot-scale production pathways for refractory alloys, High-temperature AM feedstock materials (Niobium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, etc.), Material characterization and qualification protocols, Supply chain resilience and domestic sourcing frameworks, Technology transition roadmaps for advanced metallurgy

Technological Advantage

Leverages the combined technical expertise of America Makes, AFRL, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to provide a vertically integrated approach from powder atomization to final part qualification.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Bridges the 'valley of death' between laboratory-scale material research and industrial-scale production, ensuring a domestic, resilient supply of high-performance metal powders for extreme environments.

How They Differentiate

CAPP differentiates by focusing specifically on the 'valley of death' for refractory alloys (Niobium, Tantalum, Molybdenum). Unlike commercial competitors, it is a government-backed pilot designed to de-risk production processes and provide a neutral domestic pathway for the defense industrial base rather than purely commercial profit.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), aerospace and defense contractors (Primes), and advanced manufacturing industrial base partners.

Industry Verticals

Aerospace & Defense, Space Exploration, Energy & Nuclear, Advanced Manufacturing, Materials Science

Competitors

6K Additive; Tekna; Carpenter Additive; IperionX

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Launched in 2024 to bridge laboratory research and industrial-scale production for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Major Milestones

Launched in June 2024 with $14.9M in AFRL funding, Established partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for material characterization, Appointed Ben DiMarco as Technology Transition Director to lead the initiative

Notable Customers

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD); U.S. Air Force; Aerospace & Defense Primes

https://www.americamakes.us

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

Critical Alloy Powder Pilot (CAPP) is a government-backed industrialization initiative designed to bridge the 'valley of death' between laboratory-scale material research and industrial-scale production of high-performance metal powders. Launched in June 2024 with $14.9 million in Air Force Research Laboratory funding, CAPP focuses specifically on refractory alloys such as Niobium, Tantalum, and Molybdenum, which are difficult to process and often too expensive or technically risky for private industry to develop alone.

The pilot leverages the combined technical expertise of America Makes, AFRL, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to provide a vertically integrated approach from powder atomization to final part qualification. CAPP's core services include pilot-scale production pathways for refractory alloys, material characterization and qualification protocols, and technology transition roadmaps for advanced metallurgy. This positions the initiative as a neutral domestic pathway for the defense industrial base rather than a purely commercial venture.

CAPP serves the U.S. Department of Defense, aerospace and defense primes, and advanced manufacturing industrial base partners. Its target applications include extreme-environment components for aerospace, defense, space exploration, and energy sectors. The initiative is led by Ben DiMarco, who brings over 15 years of advanced manufacturing experience, including nine years at Honda R&D Americas establishing metal AM labs and prior work at The Ohio State University's Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence.

Unlike commercial competitors such as 6K Additive, Tekna, Carpenter Additive, and IperionX, CAPP differentiates by focusing exclusively on de-risking refractory alloy production for national security needs. Its key partnerships with AFRL, ORNL, America Makes, and Ohio State's CDME provide a unique institutional moat. The open question is whether the pilot can transition its developed processes to sustainable commercial-scale production once initial government funding concludes.