"Environmental report Chalon Saint-Marcel 2008" [FR]
"Rapport environmental Chalon Saint-Marcel 2007" [FR]
Xavier Robbe, init manager, La Hague (France)
Discover Creusot Forge and Creusot Mecanique
"Chalon/Saint-Marcel : rapport environnemental, social et sociétal 2009" [FR]
Gaëlle Fasulo, metallurgical technician (France)
The Chalon Saint-Marcel plant guided tour
3D virtual tour of the Chalon Saint-Marcel plant
"JSPM développement durable" brochure [FR] 2009
"JSPM développement durable" brochure [FR]
Forged parts for heavy components
Having focused for some time on the replacement of vessel heads and steam generators, manufacturing operations for large forged parts are now being reoriented around the growing market for the construction of new power plants. With Cresot Forge et Creusot Mécanique, its specialist subsidiaries, AREVA has state-of-the art-equipment and technology to guarantee the quality and competitiveness of these parts, key components of the nuclear island.
The strategic role of forged parts
Forged parts are large molded and machined parts. They are used to manufacture the heavy components which form the primary reactor coolant loop. Expertise in forged part manufactures is critical to AREVA’s provision of an integrated product range.
A cast part is shaped using a sand mold. It is then subjected to a series of operations: arc-blowing (producing molten metal with an electric arc and removing the cast produced by air jet), grinding, welding, and machining. The molded parts are then subjected to non-destructive inspections, followed by hydraulic testing under pressure.
To support nuclear power plant modernization and construction programs,Creusot forge produces the following parts:
- steam generator (SG) shells (upper, conical, and lower),
- steam generator tube plates,
- steam generator domes and bases,
- nuclear reactor vessels,
- legs (hot and cold) connecting the reactor and the steam generators.
Discover Creusot Forge and Creusot Mecanique
Creusot Forges and Creusot Mécanique have know-how recognized around the world in the fabrication of parts for nuclear islands and for the petrochemical sector. Their workshops and research centers utilize exceptional processes, from the forge through quality tests.
In the Creusot Mécanique machine shop, AREVA carries out precision finish machining on large components. Thanks to a range of machine tools of exceptionally large size and accuracy and to the technical skills of the operators, Creusot Mécanique is able to carry out the precision machining of the stainless steel parts of the heavy reflector for the EPR™ reactor pressure vessel internals.
Leading the world
Creusot Forge and Creusot Mécanique supplies forged parts for nearly 90 pressurized water reactors (PWR) in this market, as well as for heavy water reactors of the CANDU type (operated in India). Its international references make the group the world leader in this specialist field.
Also active in the petrochemical industry, Creusot Forge and Creusot Mécanique has all of the certifications necessary to develop in environments as demanding as the nuclear or offshore sectors.
The Creusot Forge and Creusot Mécanique manufacturing facility consists of:
- a forge equipped with 2 presses (7,500 and 11,300 metric tons),
- a machining workshop,
- workshops for joint welding and machining mechanical sub-assemblies.
