Scandium Canada has developed two aluminum-scandium (Al-Sc) alloys, AA7075 and A535, along with their powders, for use in advanced manufacturing (3D printing and Wire Additive Advanced Manufacturing).

This work, carried out in collaboration with McMaster University, Ontario, Canada, has resulted in a significant body of intellectual property.

The integration of these materials into 3D printing, in particular, represents a major breakthrough for industries such as aerospace, automotive, and additive manufacturing. These two alloys are the subject of a provisional patent application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in September 2024, entitled: “Aluminum alloy powders for additive manufacturing. Methods of producing the same and uses thereof.” A PCT filing followed this first filing in September 2025 to assert worldwide priority.

Scandium₊ is dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative applications using scandium-based alloys and is actively advancing co-development partnerships with industrial end users.

We strive to unlock the full potential of scandium through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to responsible stewardship, leading progress across multiple sectors. To address the urgent need for lightweight and high-performance materials, Al-Sc alloys offer competitive solutions in vital sectors:

• 3D Printing & Laser Powder Bed Fusion: Our AA535 and AA7075 powders eliminate microcracking in high-strength alloys during Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF), with relative densities above 99% and UTS of 330–380 MPa.
• Welding Wire & WAAM Manufacturing: Al-Sc welding wire prototypes produced by the Centre de Métallurgie du Québec (CMQ) for welding and Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) trials, with major advanced manufacturing end user testing underway for qualification.
• Aerospace & Space: Optimization of structural weight while maintaining mechanical properties, validated for small heat exchangers, aircraft ducting, and space-grade waveguides and antennas.
• Automotive & Transportation: Reduced energy consumption through lighter structural components with equivalent or superior mechanical properties, targeting weight-critical automotive and transportation applications.
• Defense industry: Enhanced performance of strategic equipment and materials qualification for ballistic plating applications.
• Renewable Energy: Development of lighter, corrosion-resistant components for wind turbine structures and solar energy systems, leveraging the improved fatigue life of Al-Sc alloys for long-term outdoor installations.