What does this research mean for the field?

Additive manufacturing processes, specifically laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition, offer potential solutions for the serial production and functional integration of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), provided that critical challenges regarding residual stress, defects, and nuclear qualification are resolved. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To outline safety-relevant applications, technical benefits, and engineering challenges of metal additive manufacturing technologies for small modular and microreactor components.

August 29, 2026KerntechnikOpen Access

Potential and application scenarios of additive manufacturing processes in the production of SMRs and microreactors

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Authors

MWMartin Werz SSSven Sewalski TFTim Fritschle

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Overview

Technical review evaluates additive manufacturing pathways for small modular and microreactors, highlighting technical and regulatory hurdles prior to nuclear qualification.

Key Points

To outline safety-relevant applications, technical benefits, and engineering challenges of metal additive manufacturing technologies for small modular and microreactor components.
Evaluated laser powder bed fusion of metals (PBF-LB/M) for producing functionally integrated liquid-metal heat pipes with customized capillary structures.
Assessed wire-based directed energy deposition (DED-Arc) paired with thermo-mechanical process simulation to fabricate thick-walled structural and pressure-vessel components.
Reviewed defect mechanisms, non-destructive testing requirements, and nuclear regulatory frameworks governing component qualification.
Identified that DED-Arc enables high deposition rates and reduces weld seams in large vessels, while PBF-LB/M allows bespoke internal capillary structures for enhanced heat transfer.
Documented critical manufacturing challenges, including residual stress, part distortion, porosity, lack-of-fusion defects, slag inclusions, and microstructural anisotropy.
Determined that overcoming powder removal hurdles and developing advanced non-destructive inspection protocols are necessary to meet nuclear safety regulations.

Cite This Study

Werz et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9299bb8e5d7d1fc0c11e05 https://doi.org/10.1515/kern-2026-0060

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August 29, 2026KerntechnikOpen Access

Potential and application scenarios of additive manufacturing processes in the production of SMRs and microreactors

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MWMartin Werz SSSven Sewalski TFTim Fritschle

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Technical review evaluates additive manufacturing pathways for small modular and microreactors, highlighting technical and regulatory hurdles prior to nuclear qualification.

Key Points

To outline safety-relevant applications, technical benefits, and engineering challenges of metal additive manufacturing technologies for small modular and microreactor components.
Evaluated laser powder bed fusion of metals (PBF-LB/M) for producing functionally integrated liquid-metal heat pipes with customized capillary structures.
Assessed wire-based directed energy deposition (DED-Arc) paired with thermo-mechanical process simulation to fabricate thick-walled structural and pressure-vessel components.
Reviewed defect mechanisms, non-destructive testing requirements, and nuclear regulatory frameworks governing component qualification.
Identified that DED-Arc enables high deposition rates and reduces weld seams in large vessels, while PBF-LB/M allows bespoke internal capillary structures for enhanced heat transfer.
Documented critical manufacturing challenges, including residual stress, part distortion, porosity, lack-of-fusion defects, slag inclusions, and microstructural anisotropy.
Determined that overcoming powder removal hurdles and developing advanced non-destructive inspection protocols are necessary to meet nuclear safety regulations.

Cite This Study

Werz et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9299bb8e5d7d1fc0c11e05 https://doi.org/10.1515/kern-2026-0060

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