ORNL and INL collaborate on 3D-printed pressure vessels

[Marlin]

ORNL and INL collaborate on 3D-printed pressure vessels

https://www.ans.org/news/2026-08-27/article-8345/ornl-and-inl-collaborate-on-3dprinted-pressure-vessels/

[Core Content]

Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory are partnering to develop wire arc 3D printing for industrial nuclear pressure vessels. This additive manufacturing process aims to address supply chain constraints caused by limited domestic forging capacity. Researchers successfully printed a prototype vessel using the MedUSA platform and plan to integrate real-time AI monitoring to evaluate structural integrity during production.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory have announced they will collaborate to help industry develop a process for wire arc 3D printing of industrial pressure vessels used for nuclear energy and chemical processing.

"By working with industry to demonstrate, validate, and qualify advanced manufacturing technologies, we can reduce risk, accelerate deployment, and strengthen the domestic supply chains essential to America's energy future," said Robert Wagner, ORNL associate laboratory director for energy science and technology.

Manufacturing bottleneck: Pressure vessels are key nuclear reactor components that operate under extreme conditions and require extraordinary toughness and structural integrity. Traditionally, they are forged, but as the United States works to expand its nuclear energy production, limited forging capacity poses a supply challenge.

Read the full article at ans.org:
https://www.ans.org/news/2026-08-27/article-8345/ornl-and-inl-collaborate-on-3dprinted-pressure-vessels/