AM 4 AM and AMS partner to industrialise HiperAL aluminium powder for metal AM

AM 4 AM, based in Foetz, Luxembourg, and Additive Manufacturing Solutions Ltd (AMS), located in Burscough, UK, have announced a collaboration to develop and industrialise HiperAL, a zirconium-modified 7000 series aluminium powder produced via AM 4 AM's patented cold plasma treatment. Under the agreement, AMS will serve as the exclusive UK partner for HiperAL part production, with the programme following an engineering-led approach that integrates material, process, and application requirements from the outset. Maxime Delmee, CEO of AM 4 AM, stated that the partnership is intended to provide a structured route to industrial adoption while maintaining consistency in the material's market introduction. Both companies will present progress at TCT 3Sixty in Birmingham from June 2-4, 2026.

This partnership addresses a persistent gap in metal AM: the translation of novel powder alloys from laboratory development into repeatable, qualified production. HiperAL targets the high-strength aluminium segment, where 7000 series alloys (e.g., Al7075) have historically been difficult to process via LPBF due to hot cracking and poor weldability. AM 4 AM's cold plasma treatment and zirconium modification aim to overcome these metallurgical barriers, potentially opening aerospace and automotive applications that demand high strength-to-weight ratios. The exclusive UK production arrangement with AMS provides a controlled supply chain for qualification, which is critical given that aerospace qualification cycles typically span years and require consistent material provenance. This mirrors the broader industry pattern where materials innovation is increasingly coupled with service bureau capability to de-risk adoption, rather than relying solely on machine OEMs to validate new alloys.

For the industry, this is a measured step forward in expanding the aluminium alloy palette available for LPBF. The practical test will be whether HiperAL can achieve the mechanical property consistency and certification traceability required for flight-critical or structural applications, not just demonstrator parts. AM 4 AM and AMS must now execute on building a qualification dossier that includes powder characterisation, process parameter development, and mechanical testing across multiple builds. Users evaluating HiperAL should expect a multi-year validation timeline before the material becomes a drop-in replacement for established aluminium alloys like AlSi10Mg or Scalmalloy.