Picture courtesy: Kennametal
Kennametal has introduced KAF82, a fully dense tungsten carbide grade developed for additive manufacturing of custom metal-cutting tools, opening new possibilities for the production of complex hole-finishing solutions with integrated cooling features.
The announcement was made on September 15, 2026; the technology is designed to shorten the development and production cycle for customised carbide tooling. According to Kennametal, solutions that previously required several months can now be delivered within weeks, which thus allows manufacturers to respond faster to changing production requirements and new programmes.
A key feature of KAF82 is its ability to support complex tool geometries and optimised cooling channels that can be difficult or impractical to produce through conventional manufacturing methods. The grade is intended particularly for custom hole-finishing tools, where tool geometry, coolant delivery and machining performance can directly influence productivity and component quality.
The material technology builds on Kennametal’s expertise in powder metallurgy, sintering and additive manufacturing. The company produces the powder internally and does not sell it externally, giving its customers access to what it describes as an exclusive tooling solution.
“Bringing KAF82 to market reflects our strength in materials science and our ability to translate that into real-world manufacturing impact,” said Dr Carlonda Reilly, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Kennametal. She added that control over powder production and the wider manufacturing process enables the company to develop custom tools with complex geometries and optimised cooling while reducing the time required to bring them into production.
The technology has already moved beyond development, with two major automotive OEMs integrating KAF82-based custom tools into their production lines. The applications demonstrate the grade’s use in high-volume manufacturing environments where tool reliability and repeatable performance are critical.
Beyond shorter lead times, Kennametal highlights improved design freedom, faster replacement of critical tooling components and more efficient use of tungsten as key benefits of the technology. The company also states that KAF82-based tools can deliver performance comparable to or better than conventionally manufactured alternatives.
“With KAF82, we’re helping customers move faster from concept to production while unlocking geometries and solutions that conventional manufacturing couldn’t achieve,” said Ed Rusnica, Vice President of Technology, Kennametal.
The new grade forms part of Kennametal’s vertically integrated additive manufacturing capabilities, covering proprietary powder production through sintering and finishing. It also extends the company’s work in additive manufacturing, including its existing binder jet technology for complex, high-wear applications.
KAF82 is aimed at demanding applications across aerospace and defence, energy, general engineering and transportation, where customised tooling and rapid response can be important to production requirements.
News Source: Kennametal
