Establishment of Welding Process without PWHT and Preheating in SGV 480 Plate for Nuclear Reactor Containment Vessel

摘要

Ordinances of Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry provide that welded joints more than 38 mm thick used in nuclear reactor containment vessels undergo Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT). PWHT is difficult to apply in the field, however. We made 5GV480 plate tougher and more weldable by using a Thermo-Mechanical Control Process (TMCP) in rolling. Such plate can be used without PWHT or preheating up to 55 mm thick at lowest service temperature -19 deg C.