Nuclear

Stainless steel for nuclear reactors

Stainless steel is an ideal material for nuclear reactors, including traditional large-scale reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs) and very small or micro-modular technology. Outokumpu offers corrosion resistant, high performance stainless steel grades combined with industry-leading expertise and a long history of working with the nuclear power sector.

Stainless steel produced to the highest standards

Nuclear reactors often use stainless steel as a material for pipework, tanks, vessels, pools, filters and waste containers. Stainless steel provides the corrosion resistance that ensures a long lifetime with little or no maintenance required. This makes stainless steel valuable in managing health, safety and environmental risk.

Stainless steel is supplied typically in the form of quarto plate in thicknesses upwards of 5mm for heavy duty applications, as well as thinner sheets and coils used, for example, in welded tube and plate heat exchanger manufacturing.

Stainless steels typically selected for nuclear power projects include variations of the well-established grades of 304L and 316L. Meanwhile, super duplex grades SDX 2507 and the super austenitic grade Ultra 254 SMO can be chosen for applications where higher levels of corrosion resistance is needed.

Steels are often required to be produced with tailored compositions and tight restrictions on residual elements such as cobalt content. Customers in the nuclear industry are supported by our special project team who ensure the highest levels of quality assurance, testing and documentation to meet the stringent requirements of nuclear design codes.

Benefits of using Outokumpu stainless steels for nuclear reactors

Quality assurance:

To meet the highest standards of quality, Outokumpu has developed stringent project management and production management techniques. We allow for extensive quality testing and provide the capability for the customer or their representative to carry out their own testing.

Complete traceability:

Outokumpu has established systems to guarantee complete traceability for each of our stainless steel grades at every stage, as is required in nuclear power projects.

Material selection expertise:

Outokumpu’s industry-leading experts have long experience in material selection. They are able to assist the customer in selecting the right alloys to provide the required performance.

History of success:

Outokumpu has supplied stainless steel for nuclear power stations around the world since the 1960s and has the capability to meet the requirements for each project, down to the finest details.

Sustainability:

The average recycled material content for all stainless produced by Outokumpu is over 90%, the highest on the market. Our carbon footprint is 70% lower than the global average for the stainless steel industry.

Would you like to learn more? Download our guide for details

Outokumpu has a wealth of experience in supplying the nuclear industry with stainless steel. Fill in your details to receive a detailed guide covering our Core, Supra, Forta and Ultra range stainless steels as well as our industry-leading expertise and support for nuclear projects.

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