Overview
Français
Read this article from a comprehensive knowledge base, updated and supplemented with articles reviewed by scientific committees.
Read the articleAUTHORS
-
Bertrand VIEILLARD-BARON: École Polytechnique alumnus - Armament engineer (Marine engineering) - Director at Framatome
-
Yves MEYZAUD: Arts et manufactures engineer - Head of Framatome's Materials and Technology Department
INTRODUCTION
The development of new techniques and technologies depends to a large extent on the ability of materials to perform satisfactorily in use and in service. This is particularly true in the nuclear power industry, where high levels of safety, reliability and longevity are essential.
The aim of this article is to present the main materials used in the construction of nuclear reactors, their development and their evolution with technical progress.
The presentation is in two parts:
firstly, a general description of structural material requirements in terms of quality, quantity and regulations;
then, a number of examples drawn mainly from the pressurized water sector, showing how these needs have been met.
It is not possible to go into detail here on all the technological developments and characteristics of the products used in nuclear reactor structures. For more detailed information on these issues, please refer to the specialist literature and articles in the Metallurgy treatise.
The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference
This article is included in
Nuclear engineering
This offer includes:
Knowledge Base
Updated and enriched with articles validated by our scientific committees
Services
A set of exclusive tools to complement the resources
Practical Path
Operational and didactic, to guarantee the acquisition of transversal skills
Doc & Quiz
Interactive articles with quizzes, for constructive reading
Nuclear reactor structures
Requirements
Bibliography
In Engineering Techniques
The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference
