Atom

Under the contract signed in December 2017 as part of the ATOM Project, technologies for producing nickel alloy powders, which are subject to export licensing requirements for additive manufacturing, have been successfully established in Türkiye using domestic and national resources.

Turbine parts used in aircraft engines are manufactured from nickel-based superalloys to ensure they do not lose their strength under high loads and temperatures. In the ATOM project, Inconel 718 and Inconel 625 powders suitable for the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing process, and Inconel 718 powder suitable for the electron beam melting (EBM) additive manufacturing process were produced using an atomization method, thereby achieving domestic production in this field as well. Following the characterization of prototype productions and validation activities conducted on samples, the ATOM project was successfully completed in 2021 after passing acceptance tests.

Supported by the Secretariat of Defence Industries (SSB), the ATOM Project was carried out with Ermaksan as the prime subcontractor, resulting in the acquisition of the capability to produce powder raw materials suitable for additive manufacturing using domestic resources. Within the scope of the ATOM Project, the development of the powder atomization method and system enabled the production of over 3,000 kilograms of nickel-based superalloy powder feedstock at the pilot scale.

The knowledge and expertise gained through the ATOM Project continue to meet the needs of ongoing indigenous engine projects using domestic capabilities.