What is Freemelt delivering to ESS?
Freemelt will produce and deliver 7,000 tungsten components for the target wheel system of the European Spallation Source, one of Europe's largest research infrastructures. Deliveries run over 14 months, with most of them in 2027.
In the target wheel, a proton beam from the accelerator hits the tungsten and releases neutrons, which researchers use to study materials at atomic level. Freemelt names tungsten's high melting point, thermal conductivity and resistance to thermal, mechanical and radiation stress as the reasons for the choice.
How will the order be fulfilled?
The work sits in Freemelt's Manufacturing business area, together with partners from powder supply through to qualified finished parts. The components have a limited service life and must be replaced from time to time, which Freemelt sees as a basis for repeat orders from ESS.
CEO Daniel Gidlund called the order validation of the company's broader strategy, and pointed to growing customer demand for qualified manufacturing capacity and regional supply chains.
Where does this fit in Freemelt's tungsten work?
Freemelt has moved from selling machines to producing components. In September it received a large order from Fusion for Energy for tungsten parts, followed by a feasibility study with a Swedish defense company on refractory metals and an MoU with Proxima Fusion. Its systems are also used by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Loughborough University and HAMR Industries.
Elsewhere, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has printed defect-free tungsten parts by electron beam, the UK DIADEM project is grading tungsten to copper transitions, and powder makers such as 6K Additive and Elmet Technologies are expanding tungsten offerings.