NRC says manufacturing flaws 'negligible,' plant shutdowns not necessary

Utility Dive: In its petition to the NRC, Beyond Nuclear cited the potential defects in nuclear reactor components manufactured by AREVA-Le Creusot Forge (ACF). The defects involve flaws in the steel manufacturing process that result in carbon macrosegregation, a condition marked by excess carbon that can make the metal brittle and subject to sudden fracture or tearing under high pressure.

The flaw showed up when AREVA notified French authorities of anomalies in the upper and lower heads of the reactor pressure vessel of unit 3 of the Flamanville nuclear plant in France. Both of those parts were manufactured by ACF.

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