Velo3D and Linde Advanced Material Technologies Help Advance U.S. Navy Shipbuilding

Velo3D and Linde AMT (formerly known as Praxair Surface Technologies), provider of metal powders and coatings, have signed an agreement to supply domestically produced CuNi (70-30 Copper-Nickel) powder to support the U.S. Navy and the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program.

The collaboration provides a U.S.-based solution for producing corrosion-resistant copper-nickel components used in naval systems. Leveraging Linde AMT's expanded powder manufacturing facility for additive metal powders based in Indianapolis, IN, and Velo3D's Sapphire XC large-format printer, the initiative strengthens national manufacturing resiliency, the companies note.

CuNi is used in naval systems for its resistance to seawater corrosion and biofouling, and its mechanical strength and durability in harsh marine environments. Its thermal conductivity and ductility make it ideal for shipboard piping, cooling systems, and structural components.

The agreement follows a recent award to Velo3D by the U.S. Navy to develop, qualify, and print CuNi components for shipbuilding modernization. Under this agreement, Velo3D will operate a dedicated Sapphire XC printer using Linde AMT's U.S.-made CuNi powder to support year-round production at no cost to participating Navy and MIB stakeholders.

"This collaboration with Velo3D ensures a vertically integrated, U.S.-made solution of powder, printers, and parts all produced domestically," says Andy Shives, global director of Sales. "Our Indiana powder facility has completed another atomization expansion and is primed to scale high-quality powder production to meet current and future defense demands."

"Partnering with Linde AMT supports our mission to bolster the Navy's surge capacity and accelerate modernization," says Arun Jeldi, CEO of Velo3D. "Together, we deliver an agile, secure, and scalable manufacturing solution that aligns with our nation's defense priorities."

Both companies are committed to supporting national security by providing openly sourced, ITAR-compliant materials and technologies that can be deployed quickly across shipyards and naval programs. Velo3D's systems, which meet DoD cybersecurity standards, can print high-fidelity components layer-by-layer with closed-loop monitoring for unmatched repeatability.

This new agreement enables the Navy to tap into a distributed, scalable additive network, leveraging Linde AMT's powder capacity and Velo3D's nationwide installed systems. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.