Wire based electron beam additive manufa

This paper explores the applications and advancements of electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) within the nuclear manufacturing sector. The objective is to assess the potential of EBAM to produce large-scale components with enhanced quality and deposition rates compared to traditional methods. A comprehensive overview is provided of the operational setup at the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) utilizing the pro-beam K2000 system, which operates within a significant working volume and represents the largest electron beam vacuum chamber in the UK. The methodology includes a comparative analysis of DED technologies and discussions on the limitations of existing systems in the nuclear industry for large component fabrication. The results indicate that EBAM can produce homogeneous or hybrid structures while maintaining excellent material properties, particularly advantageous for highly reactive metals and refractory materials. Furthermore, the study underscores the need for innovation in DED applications to address current challenges in the nuclear sector, thus emphasizing the transformative potential of EBAM as a solution for large-scale manufacturing challenges.