The MPIF/MPPA Standards Committee approved MPIF Standard 75 - Determination of Flow Rate of Metal Powders Using the Carney Flowmeter Funnel (available from MPIF in the 2022 edition of Standard Test Methods for Metal Powders and Powder Metallurgy Products), a new test method standard for measuring the flow rate of non-free-flowing metal powders using the Carney flowmeter funnel. To date, no Carney funnels have been calibrated for testing flow rate—they have only been supplied for testing the apparent density of non-free flowing metal powders. The committee has recently approved a standard calibration powder to be used to calibrate Carney funnels.

LEAP 1-B engine, courtesy of CFM International.

GE Aerospace has announced revenue rose by 27% in Q2 2022 thanks to new additive manufactured (AM) fuel nozzle-enabled engine sales. The revenue boost is thanks to its sale of over 200 CFM International LEAP-1B engines to major clients Delta Air Lines and Qatar Airways. The engines feature AM fuel nozzles that are 15% more fuel efficient than CFM56 alternatives. As part of the July 2022 agreement, the engines will soon be fitted to the customers’ fleets of Boeing 737-10 aircraft, allowing them to be more sustainable and reduce fuel consumption.

The Tungsten Industry Conflict Minerals Council announced the release of an updated version of its Tungsten Framework document. The Tungsten Industry—Conflict Minerals Council (TI-CMC or “the Council”) is a framework through which its members can provide the industry, tungsten consumers, and the public with assurances that the tungsten products are sourced within current guidance and regulations.  

A new production process for titanium is scaling up. Anastasios “Taso” Arima, the founder and CEO of start-up IperionX announced the new process uses hydrogen assisted metallothermic reduction (HAMR) instead of carbon. The HAMR process is touted as sustainable with a lower processing cost.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory, Ames Iowa, has announced a name change, to Ames National Laboratory. The change was made to more accurately reflect the institution’s past, present, and future role as a DOE National Laboratory, reinforcing the science and service it provides to meet its clean energy goals and objectives.