Scandium Canada talks 3-D-printable Al-Sc alloys

Mr. Guy Bourassa reports SCANDIUM CANADA UPDATES ON ITS PROPRIETARY ALUMINUM-SCANDIUM ALLOYS New data on the properties of Scandium Canada Ltd.'s modified AA535 and AA7075 alloys confirm an economically viable technological advancement in the field of aluminum-scandium (Al-Sc) alloys explicitly developed for additive manufacturing applications. The current results are focused on the properties of samples printed through the laser powder-bed fusion (L-PBF) process. The company's latest results substantiate that Scandium Canada's alloys offer a practical solution to one of the most persistent challenges in metal 3-D printing: eliminating cracking in high-strength aluminum alloys, which paves the way for a new era of lightweight, high performance and cost-effective components across multiple industries. See press release: Scandium Canada updates on aluminum-scandium 3D powders research and development. It should be noted that Scandium Canada has established a division within the company, Scandium +, dedicated explicitly to ramp up commercialization efforts for these two Al-Sc powders and the development of other Al-Sc alloys, to engage in dialogue with end-users. Scandium+'s main objectives are to: Deploy scandium in markets with the highest needs; Commercialization of patent-pending Al-Sc alloys with potential in multiple sectors (AA7075/Sc/Zr AA535/Sc/Zr/Ce); Focus on value-added scandium alloys. The main attributes of Scandium Canada's Al-Sc powders include: Reduced scandium content: The technology enables significant reductions in the amount of scandium required, directly addressing cost and resource sustainability. The alloys maintain the grain-refining effect necessary to eliminate hot cracking during L-PBF processing, making high-quality production possible at lower material expense. Broad processing window: The newly developed aluminum-scandium-zirconium alloys exhibit printability across a wide range of laser power and scanning speed parameters. Testing has confirmed relative densities above 99 per cent under optimal conditions, a key measure for component integrity and reliability. Suitable mechanical properties: Mechanical testing shows ultimate tensile strengths (UTS) ranging from approximately 330 to 380 MPa in the as-built state. With heat treatment, these alloys achieve UTS increases of 17 to 25 per cent. Minimized defect density: The proprietary blending procedure, utilizing ZrH2, reduces the formation of microcracks with only minimal microporosity. This marks a substantial improvement over previous generations of L-PBF aluminum alloys, where macro-cracking was a common issue and hindered large-scale adoption. This also offers potential for other applications than L-PBF. "Scandium Canada's proprietary alloys directly address the critical need for printable, high-strength and lightweight metals in sectors such as aerospace, automotive and advanced manufacturing. This advancement is expected to accelerate the transition to lightweight structures in critical applications, supporting global efforts toward sustainability, energy efficiency and improved engineering design," commented Dr. Luc Duchesne, head of Scandium+ division and chief science officer. Filing of a new international patent application This innovation, developed in partnership with McMaster University, is now protected by a new international patent application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on Sept. 17, 2025. This strategic move not only enhances Scandium Canada's growing intellectual property portfolio but also positions the company for commercial applications. Short-term commercial opportunities study A continuing study with Productique Quebec announced on Aug. 22, 2025, is currently using the properties of Scandium Canada's alloys to assess 10 short-term commercial opportunities from an extensive list of over 140 potential uses of Scandium Canada's scandium alloys. Completion of this study is expected in mid-October, 2025, and targets several applications, in addition to laser powder-bed fusion (L-PBF). About Scandium Canada Ltd. Scandium Canada is a public company whose ultimate goal is to bring the world's leading primary source of scandium into production, enabling the development and commercialization of aluminum-scandium (Al-Sc) alloys. The corporation is leveraging its Al-Sc alloy development division and the development of its Crater Lake mining project to meet the growing need for lighter, greener, longer-lasting, high performance materials. The corporation aims to become a market leader in scandium, while committing itself to building a more responsible economy through innovation and agility. About Scandium+ Scandium+ is dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative scandium uses. It strives to unlock the full potential of scandium through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology and a commitment to responsible stewardship, leading progress across multiple sectors. We seek Safe Harbor.