Anshan Steel Group released news that by establishing a suitable production process route, it has recently successfully completed the development of 316H austenitic stainless steel products for the fourth generation nuclear power–600MW demonstration fast reactor project and delivered the first supply agreement. As a result, the company becomes the only company in the world to rely solely on its own equipment to produce the product.
The fourth-generation 600MW pilot fast reactor project is leading the development of the industry and represents the trend of nuclear energy development in future. Thus, it has extremely important strategic significance. It has extremely stringent safety requirements for equipment, and key equipment mainly uses 316H austenitic stainless steel. However, in terms of comprehensive properties and structure, it is very different from conventional 316H austenitic stainless steel, especially in terms of ferrite, grain size, intergranular corrosion, and uniformity of steel plate head and tail properties. Therefore, during the tendering for such materials, foreign established enterprises who are engaged in stainless steel production are discouraged and refuse to bid.
In the next step, Ansteel will continue to carry out in-depth research and development of the product, further optimize the production process, improve the process route, reduce production costs, shorten manufacturing cycles, and fully support the construction of the fourth-generation nuclear–600MW demonstrated fast reactor project in China.