Sndvik Materials Technology announced it has secured a record order for nuclear tubes and pipes from a world-leading low carbon energy company for the development of nuclear power stations in the UK.

A developer and producer of advanced stainless steels, special alloys, and other high-performance materials, Sandvik, will supply nuclear tubes and pipes in 29 dimensions in grade 3R65, a molybdenum-alloyed austenitic stainless chromium-nickel steel with a low carbon content. The tubes will be mainly used to connect different systems close to the second reactor at the Hinkley Point C power station in Bristol, England.

The materials will require a high degree of cleanliness to meet the nuclear RCC-M design code, with firm controls on instructions and procedures and regular on-site third-party inspections during manufacturing.

Picker: striving for technology leadership

The tubes and pipes will be manufactured at Sandvik’s production unit in Sandviken, Sweden.

This is the second order from the energy company for Sandvik nuclear materials. In 2018, the company was commissioned to provide a package of tubes for the first reactor at Hinkley Point C. The order was delivered during 2019 and 2020.

Despite tough competition, the latest order was successfully secured due to Sandvik’s record of excellent understanding of the customer’s technical requirements, and its delivery of high-quality materials.

Anders Frelin, Regional Sales Manager, Nuclear Power, EMEA, Sandvik Materials Technology, said: “We succeeded thanks to a strong commitment from everyone, from the first customer sales contact, through the internal supply chain to final delivery with impressive teamwork.

“It is a great feeling when everything comes together, and you book this kind of order. We have been working on details, instructions, and procedures for a very long time and it’s thanks to the efforts from everyone involved that we finally secured this contract.” 

“We are proud to have been selected as supplier for this prestigious contract, which confirms our position as the leading producer of nuclear tubes,” said Patrick Larsson, Production Manager, Sandvik Materials Technology.

A provider of specialist materials and knowledge for next-generation nuclear power supply, Sandvik has a successful record of supporting the nuclear industry for over 60 years and a 155-year steelmaking heritage. Sandvik has delivered 60,000,000 meters of nuclear fuel tubes to more than 100 reactors worldwide.

RENEWABLE DIESEL PLANT

Earlier, it announced it has received the first-ever contract from a renewable diesel plant for its Sanicro 28 high alloy austenitic stainless steel. The reference order is for the use of Sanicro 28 in the reactor effluent air coolers (REAC) of the hydroprocessing unit at one of the largest renewable diesel refineries in the US Gulf Coast, due to start production in 2023.

Sanicro 28 is a multi-purpose austenitic stainless steel for service in extremely corrosive conditions. It was originally developed for the fertiliser industry and has been successfully used in the upstream oil and gas industry for many years.

Karen Picker, Technical Marketing Engineer, Sandvik Materials Technology, said: “Identifying a new market for Sanicro 28 is just one example of how we always strive for technology leadership through innovation and successful partnerships, which is one of our core values.

“Renewable diesel technology is fairly new and there can be some over conservatism in materials selection, which may lead to expensive over specification of nickel alloys. This first full reference order in a renewable diesel plant will hopefully bring awareness to the industry that Sanicro 28 is a highly corrosion resistant and cost effective solution for this application.” 

Jennifer Svensson, Product Manager Heat Exchanger Tubes, Sandvik Materials Technology, added: “I am very proud of this achievement that was only made possible thanks to our long standing relationship with the refining company. Once again, they have chosen a Sandvik solution that offers the performance they look for in this challenging service. Furthermore, as sustainability is one of our key focuses, we are of course immensely pleased to see our materials supporting the renewable energy sector.”