Challenges in Standardizing Additive Manufacturing for Nuclear Components and Associated Material Testing I: Overview of the Project and its Future Outlook

Additive Manufacturing (AM) offers innovative solutions for producing complex components that traditional methods struggle with, enhancing design freedom, performance, and manufacturing efficiency while reducing costs. In Japan, the nuclear power industry has faced challenges since the 2011 earthquake in East Japan, leading to a decline in manufacturing opportunities and supplier capacity, as many withdrew from the nuclear sector. AM could provide a pathway for new suppliers to enter the market, supporting the domestic nuclear industry’s maintenance and construction. To implement AM materials in nuclear products, standardized quality requirements are essential. In 2021, the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME) initiated a task group to develop code case for AM application, focusing on Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) and Laser Wire Directed Energy Deposition (LW-DED) methods using austenitic stainless steels. In order to support the these activities, a national project, promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), is being conducted aiming to gather data on AM materials, establish qualification methods, and ensure compliance with nuclear standards, ultimately facilitating the development of the code case, which is expected to be issued in 2026.