3D PRINTING OF INCONEL 617 ALLOY – Dr. Tomasz Stasiak

Title: 3D printing of Inconel 617 alloy in the form of thin tubes as heat exchanger components in Generation IV nuclear reactors and other high-temperature applications

This project aims to develop 3D printing of Inconel 617 alloy in the form of thin tubes for heat exchanger applications in Generation IV nuclear reactors, such as gas-cooled high-temperature reactors, as well as other high-temperature uses. Future Gen IV reactors will operate at temperatures up to 1000 °C, compared to 350 °C in current reactors, while the components will face significantly greater radiation damage. Inconel 617 is a well-known nickel-based superalloy with excellent high-temperature mechanical properties. In 2019, it became the first alloy in 30 years to be added to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Section III, Division 5) for nuclear pressure equipment, confirming strong industry interest in its suitability for Gen IV reactor construction. The project will focus on 3D printing thin Inconel 617 tubes using selective laser melting (SLM) technology, as such geometries form the basis of heat exchangers in nuclear reactors and various industrial applications. Inconel 617 is difficult to machine conventionally due to significant work hardening, so 3D printing of complex shapes like tubes could resolve manufacturing challenges and substantially reduce costs. Achieving mechanical properties in SLM-printed components equal to or better than those obtained through conventional methods (casting and forming) will require optimization of the 3D printing parameters.

Project duration: 01.03.2026 – 31.08.2027

Budget: 99 600 PLN



This project has received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation
programme under grant agreement No 857470 and from European Regional Development Fund
via Foundation for Polish Science International Research Agenda PLUS programme grant
No MAB PLUS/2018/8.
Poland
The project is co-financed from the state budget within the framework of the undertaking of the Minister of Science and Higher Education "Support for the activities of Centers of Excellence established under Horizon 2020".

Grant: 5 143 237,70 EUR
Total value: 29 971 365,00 EUR
Date of signing the funding agreement: December 2023

The purpose of the undertaking is to support entities of the higher education and science system that have received funding from the European Union budget in the competition H2020-WIDESPREAD-2018-2020/WIDESPREAD-01-2018-2019: Teaming Phase 2. in the preparation, implementation and updating of activities, maintenance of material resources necessary for carrying out activities, acquisition and modernization of scientific and research apparatus, maintenance and development of personnel potential necessary for the implementation of activities, and dissemination of the results of scientific activities.