US lab drives nuclear innovation with 3D-printed reactor components

The US Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) has made a significant breakthrough in nuclear energy innovation by advancing the use of Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), a high-precision 3D printing method, for manufacturing high-temperature reactor components. This development, supported by a draft Code Case submitted to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, aims to accelerate the approval and adoption of next-generation nuclear reactor parts. LPBF enables the production of complex, high-performance metal parts with precise control over material properties and geometry, overcoming limitations of traditional fabrication methods like forging and casting. This technology promises to enhance component performance, improve resistance to heat and radiation, reduce material waste, shorten production timelines, and strengthen the nuclear supply chain through localized, on-demand manufacturing. The project is a collaborative effort among several national laboratories under the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies (AMMT) program, which focuses on modern manufacturing techniques such as LPBF, Directed Energy Deposition, and Powder Metallurgy Hot Isost