Alloyed Unveils ABD-1000AM: The World's First 1000°C Nickel Superalloy Built for 3D Printing

A 100-Year-Old Problem Gets a 21st Century Solution

When Inconel and Hastelloy were invented in the 1930s, they represented the cutting edge of high-temperature materials. Nearly a century later, we're still relying on those same alloys in hypersonic aircraft and sixth-generation jet engines. That's finally changing.

UK-based Alloyed has developed ABD-1000AM, the world's highest temperature nickel-based superalloy specifically designed for additive manufacturing. The alloy can operate reliably at temperatures exceeding 1000°C—making it ideal for the extreme demands of jet engine components.

Partnership Power

Alloyed developed ABD-1000AM in collaboration with:

• ITP Aero — a leading propulsion and MRO firm
• Cranfield University — a renowned aerospace research institution

The project was funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, the Department for Business and Trade, and Innovate UK. The £14 million program aims to make it easier to qualify flight-ready 3D printed parts for aerospace applications.

Why This Matters

Dr David Crudden, Alloyed's Chief Metallurgist, explained the significance:

"ABD-1000AM is the world's highest temperature nickel-based superalloy designed for additive manufacture. We have identified huge demand for this material and believe it will be a game changing technology for gas turbines across aerospace propulsion and industrial power generation."

Traditional alloys like Inconel were never optimized for 3D printing. They were designed for casting and forging, then adapted for additive manufacturing. ABD-1000AM was built from the ground up for SLM and other powder-based 3D printing processes, meaning better microstructures, fewer defects, and more reliable performance.

The Bigger Picture

This development comes at a critical time. The UK, no longer part of the EU and facing a shifting relationship with the US, is investing heavily in sovereign alloy capabilities. Companies like Alloyed, Metalysis, and Renishaw give the UK a genuine edge in the global race for next-generation materials.

The US and China are engaged in intense competition around advanced alloys for manufacturing. With ABD-1000AM, the UK has demonstrated it can compete at the highest levels—and bring genuine innovation to one of aerospace manufacturing's oldest challenges.

Chris McDonald, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Industry, called it "a strong example of how government and business can work together to keep the UK at the forefront of innovation in our world-class aerospace sector."

What's Next?

The consortium will now work to qualify ABD-1000AM for flight certification. If successful, we could see 3D printed jet engine parts made from this material in commercial and defense aircraft within the next decade.