Application of high strength MnMoNi steel to pressure vessels for nuclear power plant Original Research Article

Recent increase in output of nuclear power plant has been attained by enlargement of major components such as pressure vessels. Such large components have almost reached a size limit from the points of manufacturing capacity and cost in both forgemasters and fabricaters. In order to solve this problem, it must be beneficial to apply design by use of material of higher strength, which brings reduction of pressure vessel thickness and weight. The Japan Steel Works Ltd. (JSW) has many manufacturing experiences of large integrated forgings made from high strength MnMoNi steel with tensile strength level of 620 MPa for steam generator (SG) pressure vessel, and has performed confirmation tests of its material properties. This paper describes the confirmation test results such as tensile and impact properties, nil-ductility transition temperature (NDT-T), static and dynamic fracture toughness, weldability including under-clad cracking (UCC) sensitivity, as well as metallurgical factors which influence on such material properties.