The OL3 reactor pressure vessel steel fulfills all quality requirements

30.6.2015

The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Finland (STUK) requested in April from TVO a report of the steel quality of Olkiluoto 3 reactor pressure vessel. The request was based on the reports of potential problems in the reactor pressure vessel material properties of Flamanville 3 reactor pressure vessel steel in France. TVO submitted today its report to STUK in which it concludes that OL3 reactor pressure vessel material does not have any such problems and all requirements for safe operation are met. TVO's report was prepared in cooperation with Areva.

The steel forgings of OL3 reactor pressure vessel were manufactured in Japan, and no issues regarding material properties were found in the clarification now made. The reactor pressure vessel forgings for Flamanville 3 plant were made in France, and their manufacturing process differed from the process used in Japan.

The material properties of OL3 pressurizer forgings were also assessed in TVO's report. The pressurizer forgings were manufactured in France in the same factory as the reactor pressure vessel forgings of Flamanville. TVO concluded that the material of the forgings of OL3 pressurizer meets the requirements for safe operation.

TVO continues its clarifications regarding manufacturing of materials. In the first phase now completed, the material properties of the reactor pressure vessel and pressurizer of OL3 were examined. In the second phase, the clarification will be extended to other primary circuit components. The second phase report will be completed during fall 2015.

For more information, please contact:
Jouni Silvennoinen, Senior Vice President, OL3 Project, tel. +358 2 8381 4100.

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