Freemelt to develop AM tungsten for fusion energy project

February 13, 2023

ApplicationsMaterialsNews
February 13, 2023
Freemelt is developing tungsten material processes for its eMELT technology (Courtesy Freemelt)
Freemelt is developing tungsten material processes for its eMELT technology (Courtesy Freemelt)

Freemelt Holding AB, Mölndal, Sweden, has received an order for a materials development project from the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). The project, valued at around €90,000, will see the Additive Manufacturing of tungsten components for use in fusion energy power plants.

Tungsten has great mechanical strength, high corrosion resistance and a melting point of 3,400°C. These features make it particularly suitable for use in industrial processes involving extreme temperatures, such as fusion energy production.

TRUSTED CONTENT. TARGETED AUDIENCE
Advertise with Metal AM and access a global base of 50,000+ AM professionals
Contact us

“We are developing tungsten material processes for eMELT, our coming industrial metal 3D printer. Tungsten is difficult to manufacture with traditional methods and can be costly. Using our electron beam technology and our software, Pixelmelt, we will develop methods to enable production at scale,” stated Daniel Gidlund, CEO, Freemelt. “We look forward to working with UKAEA in attempt to put fusion electricity on the grid.”

Fusion energy has the potential to provide a safe, low-carbon and sustainable part of the world’s future energy supply. To produce this energy, fusion machines function by merging hydrogen atoms to helium. The heat from this process is the same process undergone by the sun and, as expected, produces extreme heat which necessitates the most heat-resistant metals in the chamber walls of the fusion machine.

“Fusion energy development is one of the greatest scientific and engineering challenges of our time,” stated Dr Miguel Zavala-Arredondo at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

Gidlund concluded, “Tungsten is one of the strategic materials that Freemelt is developing and where we have made great progress in recent years. When we also have the opportunity to be part of the development of renewable energy, this is something we as a company are very inspired in and dedicated to.”

www.freemelt.com

ApplicationsMaterialsNews
February 13, 2023

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • LEAP 71: Why engineering must move beyond CAD to realise the promise of AI and Additive Manufacturing
  • Additive Manufacturing and European defence: a critical opportunity as the US and China accelerate ahead
  • A market analyst’s view: Europe’s opportunity as defence AM surges in the US and China
  • From Fixed Processes to flight parts: How REM’s advanced surface finishing supports NASA JPL’s AM innovations
  • The future of large metal parts: WAAMathon #2 showcases developments in Wire Arc Directed Energy Deposition
  • Wire Electron Beam Directed Energy Deposition (DED): Advancing productivity and sustainability in metal AM
  • Building trust in AM: How Qualified AM GmbH is enabling regulated production at scale

TRUSTED CONTENT. TARGETED AUDIENCE

Advertise with Metal AM and access a global base of 50,000+ AM professionals.

Contact Jon Craxford: [email protected]

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data

Don’t miss a thing – register for our newsletter

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Register now

Join 40,000+ other AM professionals – follow us online

About Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine

Metal AM magazine, published quarterly in digital and print formats, is read by a rapidly expanding international audience.

Our audience includes component manufacturers, end-users, materials and equipment suppliers, analysts, researchers and more.

In addition to providing extensive industry news coverage, Metal AM magazine is known for exclusive, in-depth articles and technical reports.

Our focus is the entire metal AM process from design to application.

Each issue is available as an easy-to-navigate digital edition and a high-quality print publication.

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap