IperionX triples US titanium manufacturing capacity

IperionX (ASX:IPX) announced the commissioning of an advanced 300-tonne, six-axis SACMI powder metallurgy press at its Titanium Manufacturing Campus in South Boston, Virginia.

The milestone triples the company’s existing powder metallurgy capacity and substantially broadens the range of high-value titanium powder-to-product components that can be manufactured within the United States.

Compared to conventional uniaxial pressing systems, the state-of-the-art SACMI press offers superior compaction force, multi-axis movement, and enhanced geometry control.

The features increase production flexibility and repeatability, enabling the creation of complex, near-net-shape titanium parts.

Operating at up to 24 pressing cycles per minute, the platform is capable of producing approximately 11 million single-cavity parts annually, with even higher throughput achievable for simpler components utilising multi-cavity tooling.

The press utilises low-cost, US-sourced feedstocks produced via IperionX’s patented HAMR titanium process.

By forming preforms that are subsequently sintered and forged using the company's patented HSPT process, this innovative pathway bypasses traditional, energy-intensive supply chains involving titanium sponge, ingot melting, and extensive machining.

The streamlined process reduces waste, manufacturing costs, and lead times while preserving the high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance critical for demanding applications.

The expanded capabilities will support critical customer programmes across the defence, aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors, producing essential components such as fasteners, gears, brackets, and actuators.

Additional HSPT furnace capacity is scheduled to arrive in June to further support manufacturing scale-up.