In July 2025, Xikong Intelligent Manufacturing and China Academy of Atomic Energy Sciences collaborated to successfully overcome the precision forming problem of high-performance molybdenum alloy nuclear reactor fuel cladding using electron beam additive manufacturing (EBM) technology. This technology uses electron beam gradient energy input and dynamic preheating path planning to achieve a density of over 99.5% for molybdenum alloy components, with mechanical properties comparable to traditional forging levels. At the same time, it realizes integrated molding of complex structures (such as porous cooling channels), reduces weight by 40%, and improves heat dissipation efficiency.

Molybdenum alloy has become an ideal material for fourth generation nuclear reactors, such as sodium cooled fast reactors, due to its ultra-high melting point (2600 ℃), radiation resistance, and good compatibility with liquid metal coolant. Traditional manufacturing processes face problems such as low-temperature brittleness and welding defects, while EBM technology significantly reduces production costs (single piece costs have significantly decreased from 150000 yuan), and the yield rate has increased to over 90%. In the future, this technology is expected to expand to the field of refractory metals such as tungsten alloys and molybdenum rhenium alloys, promoting the upgrading of nuclear energy equipment.