OPTIMIZED BASIC HEAT TREATMENT CONDITIONS FOR 15Kh2NMFA STEEL SHEET WORK.

In fabrication of pressure vessels for the AST-500 line of reactors, with provisions for plastic deformation of sectors of the shells and for eliminating phase recrystallization after shell-shaping operations have been completed, the basic set of mechanical properties required must be determined prior to beginning sheet metal bending operations. The article discusses findings of a study on the effect of plastic deformation on the fine structure and mechanical properties of 15Kh2NMFA steel, and makes recommendations on optimizing basic heat treatment conditions applicable to the fabrication technology of AST-500 reactor shells by sheet metal bending operations. Investigations were carried out on metal from an industrial heat made at PO Izhorsk Factory, on four sectors.