Kennametal Introduces Exclusive Additive Tungsten Carbide Grade Enabling Next-Generation Metal Cutting Tools

Kennametal introduces KAF82, an exclusive additive tungsten carbide grade aimed at faster, more flexible custom metal-cutting tool production.

Rhea-AI Summary

Kennametal (KMT) launched KAF82, an exclusive additive-manufactured fully dense tungsten carbide grade for custom metal-cutting hole-finishing tools, announced on September 15, 2026.

The company states KAF82 is the first grade of its kind commercialized at scale for metal-cutting, enabling complex geometries and optimized cooling channels. Lead times for custom tools can be reduced from months to weeks, and performance is described as matching or exceeding conventionally manufactured tools while using less tungsten. Two major automotive OEMs have already integrated KAF82-based tools into production. Kennametal will debut KAF82 at IMTS 2026 in Chicago and highlights applications across aerospace and defense, energy, general engineering and transportation.

Market Context

Before publication, KMT closed at $29.42 with a -0.07% daily change; the KAF82 launch added a specif...

Analysis

Before publication, KMT closed at $29.42 with a -0.07% daily change; the KAF82 launch added a specific product to the IMTS additive-manufacturing context disclosed on July 20.

Key Figures

Automotive OEM integrations: 2 major automotive OEMs Custom tooling timeline: Months to weeks

Automotive OEM integrations

2 major automotive OEMs

KAF82 custom tooling integrated into production lines

Custom tooling timeline

Months to weeks

Development and production enabled by KAF82

Historical Context

1 past event · Latest: Jul 20

1 event

1. Jul 20

   IMTS additive showcase

   24h Move

   -0.0%

   Earlier IMTS notice highlighted additive manufacturing demonstrations and broader tooling technologies

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

additive manufacturing, tungsten carbide, powder metallurgy, sintering, +1 more

5 terms

additive manufacturing technical

"announced a breakthrough in additive manufacturing that enables the rapid production"

Additive manufacturing, often called 3D printing, builds physical parts by laying down material layer by layer from a digital design, rather than cutting or molding from a solid block. It matters to investors because it can cut production time and waste, enable cheaper prototypes and customized products, and reshape supply chains—changes that can lower costs, speed new products to market, and create competitive advantages that affect a company's revenue and margins.

tungsten carbide technical

"the first additive manufacturing fully dense tungsten carbide grade"

A very hard, dense compound made of tungsten and carbon atoms bonded together; it combines the strength of metal with the wear resistance of a ceramic. Used to make cutting tools, drill bits, wear parts and other components that must resist abrasion and high heat, it matters to investors because demand, availability and price of tungsten carbide influence costs and revenues for manufacturers in mining, construction, tooling and heavy industry, much like a specialized fuel or spare part for industrial machines.

powder metallurgy technical

"expertise in powder metallurgy and sintering"

Powder metallurgy is a manufacturing method that makes metal parts by compacting metal powders into a shape and then heating them just enough to fuse the particles without melting everything. Think of forming a cookie from dough and then baking it so the pieces stick together—this approach lets makers produce precise, complex parts with less waste and consistent properties. Investors care because the process affects production cost, material efficiency, scalability and the performance of parts used in autos, aerospace and medical devices.

sintering technical

"expertise in powder metallurgy and sintering"

Sintering is a manufacturing step that uses heat (below melting point) and sometimes pressure to fuse powdered materials—metals, ceramics or plastics—into a solid, shaped part. For investors it matters because sintering quality and efficiency affect product performance, production costs, yield and the ability to scale; think of it like baking a batch of cookies where oven temperature and time determine whether each cookie holds its shape and tastes right, influencing cost and customer satisfaction.

binder jet technology technical

"where binder jet technology has already enabled breakthrough solutions"

A 3D printing process that builds parts by spreading a thin layer of powder and then jetting a liquid binder in selected areas to glue the powder together, repeating layer by layer until the object is formed. Investors care because binder jetting can produce parts faster and often cheaper than some other additive methods, scale more easily to larger runs, and work with a range of metals and ceramics—factors that affect manufacturing costs, supply-chain flexibility, and market potential.

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PITTSBURGH, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kennametal Inc. (NYSE: KMT) today announced a breakthrough in additive manufacturing that enables the rapid production of custom carbide hole-finishing tools with advanced features such as optimized cooling channels and complex geometries.
The new technology, KAF82 ^TM, is the first additive manufacturing fully dense tungsten carbide grade of its kind to be commercialized at scale and with proven performance for metal-cutting applications, made possible by Kennametal's decades of expertise in powder metallurgy and sintering. Kennametal will debut the offering at IMTS 2026 in Chicago.

With KAF82, solutions that traditionally required months of development and production can now be delivered in a matter of weeks, helping manufacturers accelerate new programs, respond quickly to changing requirements, and improve machining performance. Because the powder is not sold externally, the performance advantages of KAF82 are available exclusively to Kennametal customers, creating a differentiated offering that competitors cannot easily replicate.

"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. "Because we engineer our own powders and control the entire process, we can push the boundaries of additive manufacturing and help customers bring highly engineered custom hole-finishing tools to production faster. The result is advanced tooling solutions with optimized cooling, complex geometries, and the performance and reliability our customers expect."

Two major automotive OEMs have already successfully integrated custom tooling made with KAF82 into their production lines, demonstrating its ability to deliver performance and reliability in high-volume production environments.

"Additive changes the way customers think about metal cutting tools - from designing within constraints to engineering for performance," said Ed Rusnica, Vice President of Technology, Kennametal. "With KAF82, we're helping customers move faster from concept to production while unlocking geometries and solutions that conventional manufacturing couldn't achieve."

Key benefits of KAF82 include:

• Shorter lead times for custom tooling solutions
• Increased design flexibility, including advanced coolant capabilities
• Rapid replacement of critical components
• Performance that matches or exceeds conventionally manufactured tools
• More efficient material usage, requiring less tungsten

KAF82 supports a wide range of demanding applications across aerospace and defense, energy, general engineering and transportation.

The new grade is part of Kennametal's fully vertically integrated additive manufacturing capability, from proprietary powder production to process expertise in sintering and finishing. It builds on Kennametal's broader additive manufacturing leadership, where binder jet technology has already enabled breakthrough solutions for complex, high-wear applications that traditional methods could not achieve.

KAF82 will be showcased at IMTS 2026 in Chicago in Booth #431800, where customers can see firsthand how additive manufacturing is transforming tooling design and production.

For more information, visit kennametal.com/kaf82.

About Kennametal
With over 85 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace and defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Every day approximately 8,100 employees are helping customers in nearly 100 countries stay competitive. Kennametal generated $2.4 billion in revenues in fiscal 2026. Learn more at kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

 

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SOURCE Kennametal Inc.

FAQ

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What makes KAF82 different from conventional carbide tooling materials?

KAF82 is described as the first additive manufacturing fully dense tungsten carbide grade commercialized at scale for metal-cutting. Kennametal notes that it enables complex geometries and optimized cooling channels, offers performance that matches or exceeds conventionally manufactured tools, and uses tungsten more efficiently.

Why is KAF82 available only through Kennametal?

Kennametal engineers its own powders and does not sell the KAF82 powder externally. The company cites its vertically integrated process, from proprietary powder production through sintering and finishing, which makes the performance advantages of KAF82 available exclusively to Kennametal customers.

Which industries and applications does KAF82 target?

KAF82 supports demanding applications across aerospace and defense, energy, general engineering and transportation. It is focused on custom hole-finishing tools that benefit from advanced coolant capabilities, complex geometries and rapid replacement of critical components.

Where and when will Kennametal showcase KAF82?

KAF82 will be showcased at IMTS 2026 in Chicago at Booth #431800. Visitors will be able to see how Kennametal applies additive manufacturing to tooling design and production.

How has KAF82 been validated in production environments?

Two major automotive OEMs have already integrated custom tooling made with KAF82 into their production lines. This use is cited by Kennametal as demonstrating the material’s performance and reliability in high-volume production settings.

What are the key benefits of KAF82 that Kennametal highlights?

The company lists several benefits: shorter lead times for custom tools, increased design flexibility including advanced coolant capabilities, rapid replacement of critical components, performance that matches or exceeds conventional tools, and more efficient material usage with less tungsten required.

How does KAF82 fit into Kennametal’s broader additive manufacturing capabilities?

KAF82 is part of Kennametal’s fully vertically integrated additive manufacturing capability, which includes proprietary powder production and process expertise in sintering and finishing. It builds on prior work using binder jet technology to develop complex, high-wear solutions not achievable with traditional manufacturing.