In the context of new industrial developments at its Saint-Marcel site, this summer, Framatome detected non-compliant temperature ranges in some local stress-relieving heat treatments carried out on steam generators and pressurizers seals. A specific stress-relieving heat treatment process is concerned: it is a particular method using muffles with electrical resistances.
Work conducted by a team of experts has made it possible to characterize the causes more precisely whilst gathering the data to establish that the integrity of the components is not questioned. Studies are continuing to finalize the analysis.
The non-respect of temperature ranges constitutes a deviation from the technical manufacturing standards. This deviation has been reported to the concerned nuclear operators.
As stipulated in Framatome procedures, this specific stress-relieving heat treatment process using muffles with electrical resistances is not being used while the investigations are being completed. Other production activities carry on as normal at the Saint-Marcel site.