Enabling Resilient and Secure Domestic Supply Chains for Critical Reactor Components with Novel Materials and Additive Manufacturing

Foundation Alloy integrates material design and part production by developing a new class of nanostructured alloys specifically engineered for powder metallurgy-based processing through 3D printing and sintering. Foundation Alloy is developing a design platform for new alloys that combine unprecedented performance with a unique suitability to today’s advanced manufacturing techniques. Foundation Alloy leverages state-of-the-art materials design IP to engineer new alloys on an atomic level for better performance and processing. During this effort, Foundation Alloy will focus on alloy design, validation, testing, and printing with a Mo-W alloy for nuclear reactor applications. During Phase I, the Foundation team will evaluate sintering aid compositions and conduct in-depth testing of mechanical, thermal, corrosion, and radiation properties. In Phase II, Foundation Alloy will continue powder scaling and mechanical testing while also 3D printing parts using our novel materials. Upon completion of the effort, Foundation will provide recommendations for scaled manufacturing of nuclear reactor components.