OREANDA-NEWS. March 5, 2010. OMZ Group companies – Izhorskiye Zavody, OMZ-Spetsstal, Scientific and Research Center TK OMZ-Izhora – have taken part in the manufacturing and testing of the prototype of the nozzle zone shell for VVER-1000 reactor manufactured from 15H2MFA-A mod.A steel developed by FGUP TsNII KM Prometei.

This steel was previously used in VVER-440 type reactors and power plants for nuclear submarines and ice-breakers. Its radiation embrittlement qualities are well-studied, which allows to recommend it for the next generation VVER-1200 nuclear power plants straight after satisfactory completion of technological works and additional research.

Tests conducted by NITs had shown that 15H2MFA-A mod.A steel features excellent mechanical and technological qualities, due to precision smelting, plastic and thermal processing and microalloying techniques developed by FGUP TsNII KM Prometei. The steel has a guaranteed KP-45 category strength level, as well as high plasticity, viscosity and stress resistance.

Using the 15H2MFA-A mod.A steel in VVER-1200 reactor shells will allow to increase the projected life cycle of the reactor shell to over 100 years or, keeping the projected life cycle at the same level (60-80 years), to increase its output by 30-40%.

Manufacturing of the nozzle zone shell prototype in full accordance with the technology demonstrates the readiness of OMZ Izhora facilities to manufacture high-quality large-scale components for the next generation nuclear power plants.

The works are financed by Rosenergoatom within the framework of a R&D program aimed to increase the safety and resource of the VVER reactor shells while introducing a complete new set of operational characteristics.