As part of the $2m additive manufacturing research project, GE will produce 3D printed sample replacement parts for nuclear power plants.
The 3D printed sample metals will be manufactured at the GE Power Advanced Manufacturing Works facility in Greenville, South Carolina.
The samples will then be delivered to the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and will be irradiated in INL’s Advanced Test Reactor in preparation for testing.
Upon testing, the samples will be compared to an analysis of unirradiated material conducted by GEH to support the deployment of 3D printed parts for fuels, services and new plant applications.
GEH president and CEO Jay Wileman said: "The potential of 3D printing to speed delivery time and reduce the cost of manufacturing performance-enhancing replacement parts for nuclear power plants is quite significant.
"We want to recognize the Department of Energy for its leadership in advanced nuclear research and we look forward to working with the Idaho National Laboratory."
The project is part of the DOE’s planned $80m investment in advanced nuclear technology.
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz recently said: "Nuclear power is our nation’s largest source of low-carbon electricity and is a vital component in our efforts to both provide affordable and reliable electricity and to combat climate change."
GEH, in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is also participating in a DOE-funded project which aimed to develop stainless steel with enhanced stress corrosion cracking and irradiation resistance.
