Materials problems in nuclear engineering

The results are presented of proving the technology of steel production and mastering the manUfacture of components of WWER-440 nuclear reactors in Czechoslovakia. The technology has been mastered of the manufacture of 15Kh2MFA steel for the WWER-440 reactor pressure vessel and the possibility has been verified of the manufacture of 15Kh2NMFA and A 543 steels for the WWER-1000 reactor pressure vessel. As concerns steam generators, research was oriented to the production of heavy ingots of electric steel (22K, 08Kh18N10T and 08Kh18N12T). For nuclear power plants with WWER-1000 reactors the technology was tested of the manufacture of 10GN2MFA steel, and Cr3Ni6Mo steel was developed for castings of special fittings. The production was acquired of pipes and fittings and the technology developed of welding and surfacing. The prospects and tasks of materials research for WWER reactors are evaluated and stress is put on the solution of corrosion problems of structural materials. (E.S.)