Welding the Clinch River Breeder Reactor core support structure

The following accomplishments were realized in fabricating the CRBR core support structure: tools were obtained which successfully removed slag and ground starts and stops in a deep, narrow weld groove, dye penetrant examinations were successfull and routinely performed in a deep, narrow weld groove, a single weld bead per layer technique was successfully used with no requirement for interpass grinding; a minimum amount of welding consumables and arc time was used in fabrication; a 24 in. (0.61 m) thick Type 304 stainless steel weld was qualified and a 21 in. (0.53 m) thick weldment was successfully made in production using the SAW process in a narrow groove; the CSP welding was completed without the requirement for any rework; the fabrication of the CSP was completed 2 1/2 months ahead of schedule; module liners were welded to close dimensional control and stringent inspection criteria, and a final assembly weld was made on final-machined components which met both stringent dimensional and inspection criteria