Freemelt AB, based in Mölndal, Sweden, has received an order from The University of Sheffield’s Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC), Rotherham, UK, for additively manufactured tungsten parts. These components will be used as part of a research study aimed at furthering the development of tungsten components for use in fusion energy applications.

The Nuclear AMRC is part of the UK’s High-value Manufacturing Catapult, which is funding this project. The Nuclear AMRC helps UK companies win work for large-scale, high-precision manufacturing across the nuclear industry.

Global trends show increased government interest in fusion energy where the US, Japan, Germany, and the UK have announced programmes to support the commercialisation of the technology. According to the Fusion Industry Association, it is expected that the first fusion energy power plant will deliver electricity to the grid before 2035.

Tungsten is a critical material for the fusion energy industry due to its unique properties, including high density, strength, and resistance to extreme temperatures and wear. Traditional manufacturing of tungsten components, however, is challenging and costly, especially when aiming for the highest material properties.

Additive Manufacturing offers a promising solution to the challenge of manufacturing tungsten components as it enables the production of tungsten components with complex geometries that are difficult or impossible to achieve via traditional manufacturing. Additionally, AM can reduce material waste, shorten production times, and allow for more flexible manufacturing processes.

Freemelt’s Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB) technology is particularly attractive as it enables efficient manufacturing of tungsten parts with less design limitations while achieving the highest material properties. This makes it well suited for producing critical components for the fusion energy industry.

“This order from Nuclear AMRC re-emphasises our unique position and capabilities in printing Tungsten, as Nuclear AMRC is one of the world’s leading research institutes in tungsten and Nuclear Energy development,” stated Freemelt CEO Daniel Gidlund. “It also strengthens our position and presence within the tungsten and Fusion Energy community in the UK and underscores the critical role that Freemelt’s E-PBF technology plays in processing challenging materials like tungsten for Fusion Energy power plants.”