Steel grades for nuclear power
In the nuclear industry, threaded bolts and fasteners must meet strict standards and specifications due to the critical nature of nuclear facilities. The specific engineering steel grades used for threaded bolts and fasteners can vary depending on the application and the relevant standards and regulations. However, there are some common steel grades that are frequently used in nuclear applications:
- ASTM A193 Grade B7 (42CrMo4 Class 8.8) is an alloy steel grade typically used for high temperature applications. It is often used for bolting in nuclear reactor pressure vessels and other highly stressed areas.
- ASTM A320 Grade L7 and L43 (42CrMo4) meet high tensile strength (L7) and specific notch toughness (L43) properties. They are also frequently used for screw connections in nuclear power plant pressure vessels.
- 20NiCrMo14-5 (1.6772) is a high-temperature, nickel-containing quenched and tempered steel that is used for connecting elements in reactor construction. With very good mechanical properties, this steel is also suitable for high safety requirements.
