Australian company Metal Powder Works (MPW) has signed a contract with Westinghouse Electric Company to supply metal powders for additively manufactured components in the nuclear sector. Under the agreement, Westinghouse will test the powders for their suitability for safety-critical nuclear applications. The partnership marks a strategic step for MPW in developing demanding markets where material quality and process reliability must meet the highest standards.
MPW uses its proprietary DirectPowder process to manufacture its metal powders. This allows targeted control over particle size and morphology and is designed to deliver reproducible properties that are particularly relevant for applications in the aerospace and energy sectors.
Metal Powder Works Co-Founder and Managing Director, John Barnes, commented: “This contractwith Westinghouse marks a significant milestone for Metal Powder Works. The nuclear sector places some of the most stringent demands on material quality, and reflects the precision and reliability of our DirectPowder process. We believe additive manufacturing has a transformative role to play in next-generation nuclear technologies, and we are proud to be assessed byan industry leader to help deliver those solutions.”
Additive manufacturing is becoming increasingly important in the nuclear sector, particularly in the context of small modular reactors (SMRs) and the development of carbon-free energy systems. According to current market forecasts, the volume of additive applications in the nuclear sector will increase at double-digit growth rates in the coming years. This opens up new opportunities for powder manufacturers such as MPW, particularly when it comes to the production of complex, heat-resistant components with short delivery times.
Although the contract has no direct financial relevance, MPW considers the formal cooperation with Westinghouse to be strategically significant. At the same time, the company is examining further collaborations in the aerospace, defense and energy sectors in order to further expand the market acceptance of its products.
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