3D printing anti-corrosion materials for nuclear applications provides customized, high-performance solutions that are otherwise impossible or costly with traditional manufacturing. It enhances durability, safety, and operational flexibility in a highly demanding environment.
To enable such applications, 3D printing material producer Nanoe and Orano, an expert in nuclear materials, join forces to develop anti-corrosion materials for 3D printing.
Together, they develop two new Zetamix filaments, custom-made for Orano: a 304L filament and a Monel 400 filament.
Monel is a nickel-copper alloy already widely used by Orano in the nuclear fuel electrolysis process. This process takes place under extreme conditions of temperature and corrosion, requiring specially adapted materials. The 3D printing of these materials will enable the production of spare parts, R&D assemblies, and other small components necessary for the process, a press release reads.
Jeremy Paul-Joseph, Head of 3D Printing Activities at Orano Tricastin: “The ability to 3D print components directly in Monel opens up very interesting opportunities for Orano, both for prototyping, test bench manufacturing, and eventually for maintenance. The Nanoe–Orano partnership is a true catalyst for feasibility studies involving specific alloys, with controlled costs and lead times compared to other additive manufacturing technologies.”
In addition to this custom Monel filament, the partners also worked on the development of a filmaent for less critical applications: the 304L filament. The first applications will focus on producing small tanks for R&D assemblies, to simulate the industrial process in a laboratory environment.
Guillaume de Calan, President of Nanoe: “One of the main advantages of our Zetamix 3D printing technology is its ability to print a wide range of materials. We are very pleased to have been able to apply our skills and know-how to serve the French nuclear industry, which specifically requires dedicated materials—whether metals or ceramics such as SiC. This is a great example of the kind of collaboration we can establish with industrial partners, thanks to our ‘Zetamix on demand’ offer.”
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