Constellium Joins $2.1M Defense-Aerospace Alloy Additive Manufacturing Project

Constellium SE has launched a $2.1 million collaborative project with Nikon Advanced Manufacturing, America Makes, and leading defense contractors to advance the use of its Aheadd® CP1 aluminum alloy in additive manufacturing for defense and aerospace applications. Funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense’s Manufacturing Technology Office through America Makes, the initiative aims to generate essential material property data using Nikon's advanced laser powder bed fusion systems. The Aheadd® CP1 alloy is noted for its high strength, thermal conductivity, and excellent printability, making it suitable for critical components such as heat exchangers. Key industry partners including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Honeywell Aerospace provide guidance to ensure successful integration of the technology. The project highlights the importance of collaboration to drive innovation and will share results through the Workbench for Additive Materials database, supporting the U.S. Defense Industrial Base. This initiative positions Constellium’s alloy as a standardized option in the growing metal additive manufacturing market for mission-critical aerospace and defense uses.