Study of nanostructured metal matrix composite material elaborated by additive manufacturing for nuclear components

International audienceThis study focuses on the manufacture of nanostructured metal matrix composite material by an additive manufacturing process. Currently, the reference process induces some difficulties to produce large components with complex geometrical shape for nuclear core reactors. In this framework, the researches consist in studying and comparing microstructural and mechanical properties of materials obtained by standards elaboration methods and additive manufacturing processes.The powders of nanostructured metal matrix composite material are prepared by mechanical alloying and characterized by local (TEM) and global (particle size analysis, SEM) methods. After this characterization step, the powders are used to produce samples by additive manufacturing process (selective laser melting). These samples will be characterized in order to observe the microstructure (chemical composition, precipitate size and distribution) and study mechanical properties (tensile test, Charpy impact tests, creep)