Kennametal Inc. announced the launch of KAF82, a new tungsten‑carbide grade designed for additive manufacturing of custom hole‑finishing tools. The product was unveiled at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2026 in Chicago, where the company displayed the material at booth 431800.
KAF82 is offered as a powder that is not sold on the open market but is supplied solely to Kennametal’s own customers as part of its vertically integrated additive‑manufacturing platform. The platform covers powder production, sintering and final finishing, allowing the company to control the entire process chain.
According to Dr. Carlonda Reilly, Kennametal’s vice‑president and chief technology officer, the in‑house approach enables the firm to shorten development cycles dramatically. Projects that previously required months of engineering can now be delivered in weeks, accelerating the introduction of highly engineered custom tools.
Two automotive manufacturers have already incorporated tooling made with KAF82 into their production lines, citing faster lead times and greater design flexibility. The grade also promises reduced tungsten consumption compared with conventional manufacturing, and it supports the creation of carbide cutting tools with optimized cooling channels and complex geometries.
Kennametal highlighted the relevance of KAF82 for aerospace and defense, energy, general engineering and transportation sectors. The company employs roughly 8,100 people, operates in nearly 100 countries and reported $2.4 billion in revenue for fiscal 2026.
The launch underscores Kennametal’s strategy to expand its additive‑manufacturing capabilities and to offer customers a faster, more efficient path to custom tooling solutions.
