--- type: "WebPage" title: "Metallurgical analysis laboratory in accordance with RCC-M" description: "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,..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/metallurgical-analysis-rccm/" tags: ["EN", "pll_6802498a31ea9", "Clément BOENARD"] timestamp: "2026-07-08T08:19:07Z" published: "2025-04-18T13:11:59Z" language: "en" author: "Laure Durieux" --- # Metallurgical analysis laboratory in accordance with RCC-M ## Do you need metallurgical analysis in accordance with RCC-M? ### What is RCC-M? The [**RCC-M**](https://www.afcen.com/fr/rcc-m/194-rcc-m.html) (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](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-nuclear-energy.md) 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](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-metallurgy-steelmaking-analysis.md)**. ![asme](https://filab.fr/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/shutterstock_2288146041-centrale-nucleaire-r24jm46ulvelw3e6b9vs6yvnj4bqk5ox2mk6fhpi9k.png) ### Why carry out metallurgical analysis to meet RCC-M requirements? In the nuclear industry, every [mechanical](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-material-testing/mechanical-defect-analysis-laboratory.md) 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: Ensure material compliance RCC-M sets precise requirements for each [metal grade](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/control-of-alloys-and-grades-in-the-laboratory.md): 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. Secure the manufacture of nuclear equipment Critical components (piping, flanges, vessels, heat exchangers, etc.) are subject to [thermal](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/laboratoire-caracterisation-des-materiaux/laboratoire-analyses-thermiques-thermogravimetriques/), [mechanical](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test.md) and [chemical](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory.md) stresses. Poor material quality can have **major safety consequences**. Metallurgical analyses make it possible to **validate the performance of [materials](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-material-testing.md)** over time and under extreme conditions. Meet regulatory and contractual obligations 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 Identify the origin of a defect or deviation 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. [**For many years, the FILAB laboratory has also been approved by EDF to carry out the analysis required for PMUC approval and PMUC testing.**](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/analysis-pmuc/) 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 RCC-M ## Metallurgical analysis Metallographic and microstructural characterization - 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) Mechanical testing and material properties - **Tensile testing** at room temperature and at high temperature - **Charpy impact toughness** at varying temperatures - **Hardness** (Brinell, Vickers, Rockwell) Cleanliness and non-metallic inclusions - Determination of **inclusion cleanliness** (ASTM E45, ISO 4967, NF A04-106 methods) - Analysis of A, B, C, D type inclusions – impact on mechanical performance Chemical analysis and alloy compliance - 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 Corrosion examination and sensitization - **[Intergranular corrosion](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/laboratory-expertise-and-analysis-of-corrosion.md) testing** (ASTM A262) - Analysis of corrosion **sensitization** for stainless steels ### Our RCC-M analysis services [Halogen analysis according to RCC-M](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/halogen-analysis-laboratory/halogen-analysis-rcc-m.md) [RCCM water analysis](https://filab.fr/secteur-activite/analyse-energie-analyse-nucleaire/laboratoire-analysis-eaux-rccm/) [Chemical analysis to meet RCC-M requirements](https://filab.fr/secteur-activite/analyse-energie-analyse-nucleaire/analysis-chimiques-rccm/) [Analysis according to RCCM S8300](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-nuclear-energy/rccm-s8300-analysis.md) ## Our analytical equipment dedicated to the energy and nuclear industries ## OUR TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES Organic chemical analyses: [GCMS](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-analyses-chromatographie-gazeuse/analyse-tdu-gc-ms/), [Py-GCMS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources.md), LC-MSMS, [GPC](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-gpc-sec.md), [NMR](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-nmr.md), [FTIR](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-ftir-spectroscopy.md) Mineral chemical analyses: [ICP](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md), [XRD](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/x-ray-crystallography-laboratory-xrd.md), [IC](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-ion-chromatography.md) Thermal analysis: [TGA](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-analysis-atg/), [DSC](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-analysis-dsc/) Metallurgical analyses: [ICP](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md), [SEM-FEG EDX](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md), [SEO](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-oes-alloys.md) Powder analyses: [XRD](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/x-ray-crystallography-laboratory-xrd.md), [SEM-FEG EDX](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md), [BET](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-bet.md) Surface analyses: [SEM-FEG EDX](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-bet.md), [XPS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-xps-esca.md), [TOF-SIMS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-tof-sims.md)