Do you need metallurgical analysis in accordance with RCC-M?
What is RCC-M?
The RCC-M (for Design and Construction Rules for Mechanical Components) is the reference code for the design, manufacturing, and inspection of mechanical equipment in pressurized water nuclear facilities, mainly civil reactors in France.
It is primarily used by the nuclear industry to ensure the safety and reliability of equipment operating under extreme conditions.
To meet these strict requirements, manufacturers must rely on rigorous, traceable, and standardized metallurgical analysis.
Why carry out metallurgical analysis to meet RCC-M requirements?
In the nuclear industry, every mechanical component must meet extremely strict quality, reliability and traceability requirements. The RCC-M (Design and Construction Rules for Mechanical Components) is the technical benchmark for manufacturing equipment for pressurized water nuclear power plants.
Carrying out metallurgical analysis in accordance with RCC-M means:
RCC-M sets precise requirements for each metal grade: chemical composition, metallurgical structure, mechanical properties, absence of inclusions or defects…
These criteria must be verified by rigorous, standardized metallurgical analysis before the material is used.
Critical components (piping, flanges, vessels, heat exchangers, etc.) are subject to thermal, mechanical and chemical stresses. Poor material quality can have major safety consequences.
Metallurgical analyses make it possible to validate the performance of materials over time and under extreme conditions.
analysis in accordance with RCC-M are mandatory in material qualification files or for quality control services during manufacturing. They make it possible to:
Demonstrate compliance with customer specifications
Document manufacturing or repair procedures
Ensure traceability of material batches
In the event of non-compliance or doubt about the quality of a batch, metallurgical analysis make it possible to:
Identify the origin of a material defect (cracks, inclusions, poor structure…)
Provide independent technical expertise
Secure the rework or rejection of a batch
The FILAB laboratory supports you with metallurgical analysis to meet RCC-M requirements
Why choose FILAB for your metallurgical analysis in accordance with RCC-M?
The expertise of the FILAB laboratory in the energy and nuclear sectors contributes to the development of your industrial projects in terms of inspection, optimization and advice related to your activity.
From the design stage to the implementation of your facilities, the FILAB laboratory supports you in assessing their compliance with RCC-M requirements.
Our metallurgical analysis services in accordance with RCC-M
Metallurgical analysis
Observation by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Measurement of grain size, evaluation of phases (carbides, ferrite, etc.)
Verification of heat treatments (annealing, quenching, tempering)
Tensile testing at room temperature and at high temperature
Charpy impact toughness at varying temperatures
Hardness (Brinell, Vickers, Rockwell)
Determination of inclusion cleanliness (ASTM E45, ISO 4967, NF A04-106 methods)
Analysis of A, B, C, D type inclusions – impact on mechanical performance
Elemental composition by ICP-OES, ICP-MS, or emission spectrometry
Verification of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen content (CHONS analyzer)
Compliance check with RCC-M standardized grades
Intergranular corrosion testing (ASTM A262)
Analysis of corrosion sensitization for stainless steels
Our analytical equipment dedicated to the energy and nuclear industries
