Scandium Canada Ltd. has filed a provisional patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its innovative aluminium alloy powders explicitly designed for additive manufacturing (3D printing) applications.
The patent, titled "Aluminum Alloy Powders for Additive Manufacturing: Methods of Producing the Same and Uses Thereof", marks a major milestone in the company's ongoing efforts to expand its technological and intellectual property portfolio.
In addition to its core focus on advancing the Crater Lake scandium and rare earth project, Scandium Canada has successfully developed two proprietary aluminium-scandium (Al-Sc) alloys in collaboration with McMaster University in Ontario. These alloys have been specifically tailored for 3D printing applications, enabling more efficient production processes and enhancing material performance.
The work has been in development over the last three years and represents a significant achievement in materials science and additive manufacturing. Scandium Canada believes these advancements will open new opportunities in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and high-performance engineering.
The filing of this provisional patent underscores Scandium Canada's commitment to driving innovation and leadership in the aluminium-scandium alloy market. Shareholders and stakeholders are optimistic about the potential commercial applications of these cutting-edge materials, which align with the company's broader vision of delivering advanced solutions to the global manufacturing industry.
Guy Bourassa, CEO, said, "We are very excited about this new step in the development of the Company. It confirms our objective to be recognised as a leader in the scandium markets, not only by developing the world's largest hard rock primary scandium project but also by developing applications for scandium. Scandium is the metal of the future, and we are deeply engaged in its development and market growth. Over the next few months, Scandium Canada will explore options with commercial and research partners in Canada and abroad to monetise its 100 per cent owned intellectual property to generate revenues and offtake agreements separate from its mining activities."
Luc Duchesne, PhD. Chief Science Officer added, "The commercial emergence of aluminium powders in 3D printing represents a significant advancement in additive manufacturing technology. With the filing of patents such as the one by Scandium Canada Ltd., the potential for using aluminium alloy powders for 3D printing applications using aluminium scandium alloys has increased. This development creates new possibilities for manufacturing lightweight, high-strength components, particularly in aerospace, automotive, and maritime industries. 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize the way metal components are manufactured, offering greater design flexibility and efficiency in production processes."
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