SECTOR
Nuclear
Extreme accuracy for a sector where reliability is not an option
Nuclear sector is one of the most demanding industries for quality, control and traceability. Every mechanical component used in a nuclear plant – conventional fission plant, modular reactors (SMR) or pilot fusion plants – must ensure high-performance, long-term stability and tight tolerances.
To ensure plants safety, energy generation efficiency and resistance under extreme working conditions there is the need of high-level machining on special materials with a strict documentation. Gruppo Parpas’ solutions are a key resource for the manufacturing of critical and high complexity mechanical parts.
Problems and critical issues of this sector
Main challenges of mechanical machining for nuclear sector are:
Hard-to-cut materials like special stainless steels, zirconium alloys, Inconel and other refractory metals
Big components with high requirements in symmetry, geometrical stability and structural resistance
Tight tolerances for both parts interchangeability and sealing capacity
Need of complete process validation and traceability, from raw material to final test
Strict regulatory standards (ASME, RCC-M, etc…) that force certified construction quality and constant monitoring process
Problems and critical issues of this sector
Main challenges of mechanical machining for nuclear sector are:
Hard-to-cut materials like special stainless steels, zirconium alloys, Inconel and other refractory metals
Big components with high requirements in symmetry, geometrical stability and structural resistance
Tight tolerances for both parts interchangeability and sealing capacity
Need of complete process validation and traceability, from raw material to final test
Strict regulatory standards (ASME, RCC-M, etc…) that force certified construction quality and constant monitoring process
Components for Nuclear sector
Mechanical machining for nuclear industry concern both reactor components and auxiliary ones. Among the most important there are reactor cages and pressurized vessels, cylindrical structures with thick walls that have to ensure perfect sealing at high pressure and temperature. Accuracy on seal seats, flanges and coupling surfaces are essential to ensure safety and lasting.
Other critical parts, that are directly used inside the reaction core, are CANDU and positioning grids that need complex micro-machining and tight tolerances. Also, the control rods, actuators and internal movement systems are machined with 5-axis high-accuracy machines from special materials.
Lastly there are many auxiliary mechanical components like safety valves, primary pumps, shielding covers, fuel transfer systems, heat exchangers and containment filters. Every part must meet strict reliability and documentation criteria, also on revamping or partial substitution projects.
Components for Nuclear sector
Mechanical machining for nuclear industry concern both reactor components and auxiliary ones. Among the most important there are reactor cages and pressurized vessels, cylindrical structures with thick walls that have to ensure perfect sealing at high pressure and temperature. Accuracy on seal seats, flanges and coupling surfaces are essential to ensure safety and lasting.
Other critical parts, that are directly used inside the reaction core, are CANDU and positioning grids that need complex micro-machining and tight tolerances. Also, the control rods, actuators and internal movement systems are machined with 5-axis high-accuracy machines from special materials.
Lastly there are many auxiliary mechanical components like safety valves, primary pumps, shielding covers, fuel transfer systems, heat exchangers and containment filters. Every part must meet strict reliability and documentation criteria, also on revamping or partial substitution projects.
Find out our solutions for nuclear sector