RCC-M Section II – Material Specifications for the procurement, manufacturing, and inspection of materials used in Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) nuclear components.

The RCC-M (Design and Construction Rules for Mechanical Components of PWR Nuclear Islands) is a French nuclear code published by AFCEN (Association Française pour les règles de Conception et de Construction des Matériels des Chaudières Electro-Nucléaires). Section II of RCC-M covers Material Specifications and is crucial for the procurement, manufacturing, and inspection of materials used in Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) nuclear components.

 1. Ordering Information  

- Specifies requirements for material procurement, including:  

  - Material designation (e.g., grades, product forms)  

  - Applicable standards (e.g., NF, EN, ASTM equivalents)  

  - Delivery conditions (heat treatment, surface finish, dimensions)  

  - Supplier documentation (material certificates, test reports)  

  - Marking and traceability requirements  

 2. Material Codes & Classification  

- Covers ferrous and non-ferrous materials used in nuclear components:  

  - Carbon & alloy steels (e.g., P265GH, 16MND5)  

  - Stainless steels (e.g., Z2CN18-10, Z2CND17-12)  

  - Nickel-based alloys (e.g., NC15Fe, NC30Fe)  

  - Other materials (e.g., aluminum, copper alloys)  

- Material codification follows AFCEN’s classification system (e.g., Mxxxx for base metals, Sxxxx for filler metals).  

 3. Chemical Composition & Mechanical Properties  

- Defines acceptable ranges for:  

  - Chemical elements (C, Mn, Si, S, P, Cr, Ni, Mo, etc.)  

  - Mechanical properties (tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, impact toughness)  

  - Heat treatment conditions (annealing, quenching, tempering)  

 4. Inspection & Testing Requirements  

- Mandatory tests depending on material class:  

  - Destructive testing (tensile, impact, hardness, bend tests)  

  - Non-destructive testing (NDT) (ultrasonic, radiographic, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle testing)  

  - Metallurgical examinations (grain size, microstructure)  

- Frequency of testing (batch testing, sample size)  

- Acceptance criteria (based on RCC-M and referenced standards)  

 5. Supplementary Requirements (if applicable)  

- Additional tests for specific applications:  

  - Corrosion resistance tests (intergranular, pitting)  

  - High-temperature properties (creep resistance)  

  - Special NDT requirements (phased array UT, TOFD)  

 6. Certification & Documentation  

- Material certificates must comply with EN 10204 (Type 3.1 or 3.2)  

- Traceability records (heat number, melting process, manufacturing route)  

 Key Updates in Latest Version (RCC-M 2023)  

- Alignment with EU regulations & international standards (e.g., harmonization with ASME BPVC)  

- Inclusion of advanced materials (e.g., enhanced stainless steels for Gen III/IV reactors)  

- Revised NDT acceptance criteria (more stringent defect evaluation)  

- Updated annexures for welding consumables (filler metal specifications)  

RCC-M Section II provides detailed material codes for metals used in nuclear components, classified by type (e.g., carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys). Below is a summarized list of key material codes from the latest edition (RCC-M 2023).  

 1. Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels  

Base Metals:  

- M1901 – Carbon steel plates (e.g., P265GH, P295GH)  

- M1902 – Carbon steel forgings (e.g., 20MnMoNi5-5)  

- M1903 – Carbon steel tubes (e.g., TU42C, TU48C)  

- M2131 – Manganese-molybdenum steel plates (e.g., 16MND5, 18MND5)  

- M2132 – Manganese-molybdenum-nickel steel forgings (e.g., 16MND5, 20MnMoNi5-5)  

Welding Consumables:  

- SFA-5.1 – Carbon steel electrodes (e.g., E7018)  

- SFA-5.5 – Low-alloy steel electrodes (e.g., E9018-G)  

 2. Stainless Steels  

Austenitic Stainless Steels:  

- M3201 – 18%Cr-10%Ni plates (e.g., Z2CN18-10, 304L)  

- M3202 – 18%Cr-10%Ni forgings (e.g., Z2CN18-10)  

- M3204 – 17%Cr-12%Ni-2%Mo plates (e.g., Z2CND17-12, 316L)  

- M3301 – Stabilized grades (e.g., Z6CNT18-10, 321)  

Martensitic & Ferritic Stainless Steels:  

- M3401 – 12%Cr steels (e.g., Z12CN13, 410)  

Welding Consumables:  

- SFA-5.4 – Stainless steel electrodes (e.g., E308L, E316L)  

- SFA-5.9 – Stainless steel filler wires (e.g., ER308LSi)  

 3. Nickel-Based Alloys  

Base Metals:  

- M4101 – Inconel 600 (NC15Fe)  

- M4102 – Inconel 690 (NC30Fe)  

- M4104 – Inconel 718 (NC19FeNb)  

Welding Consumables:  

- SFA-5.11 – Nickel alloy electrodes (e.g., ENiCrFe-3)  

- SFA-5.14 – Nickel alloy filler wires (e.g., ERNiCr-3)  

 4. Aluminum & Copper Alloys  

- M6101 – Aluminum alloys (e.g., 5083, 6061)  

- M6201 – Copper-nickel alloys (e.g., CuNi30Mn1Fe)  

 5. Special Materials  

- M5101 – Zirconium alloys (for fuel cladding)  

- M5201 – Titanium alloys (for specific components)  

Want to order the same ?  Contact us Now to send your request!