Electron beam welding of niobium-stabilized austenitic stainless steel (X6CrNiMoNb 17.12.2)

In a text and in a Power Point presentation, the authors report the design and realization of nuclear pressurized equipment in niobium-stabilised austenitic stainless steel in substitution of a technological solution based on the use of carbon steel coated with stainless steel. The authors more particularly discuss the consequences of this technological evolution, i.e. works on the qualification of electron beam welding for the main weldments (high thickness), and on the in-fabrication and in-service controllability of these welds