.

'

1 of29

CHAPTER 01
r General
Quality Management System
. Material Testing

...

I
 2 of29

Comparison Between ASME (Sec II and Sec Ill) and RCC-M

This report described a comparison, found in two International codes, namely ASME BPVC (20 I 0 Edition) and RCC-M
Code (2007 Edition), with specific requirements for the construction of Nuclear Island. The prime investigation is limited to

comparison of Sec II and Sec Ill from the ASME BPVC (20 I 0 Edition) with RCC-M Code (2007 Edition). The ma in
body of this comparison is based on Scope, Materials, Testing methods and Quality systems requirements described in various
sections/subsections of both of the codes.
The first part of this comparison table between two International codes describes general layout comparison defining historical
back ground, various sections of both,the codes and brief description of quality management system.
The second part of this comparison table describes different aspects regarding mechanical testing including sample orientation,
sample sizes, testing methods at both room and elevated temperatures. The comparison also defines the deference between
procedures for determination of RTNDT in both the codes.

The third part of this compassion table deals with IGC testing, solution treatment methods, bending procedures, grain size
measurement and chemical analysis.

I
..
•r

3 of29

Table 1--- RCC-M versus ASME General Layout Comparison

Historical Background

RCC-M ASME Comments

• RCC-M: Rules for construction of mechanical components for ASME: American society of Mechanical engineers
PWR.
• The first RCC-M Specification was issued in 1980 and the first ASME was founded in 1880 and is not for profit
official and complete issue was released in 1984. organization
• AFCEN is the French association for Design, Construction ASHE is a professional association that, promotes
and in service Inspection Rules for Nuclear Island the art, science and practice of multidisciplinary
components, in codes and standards, from the technical and engineering and allied sciences around the globe via
organizational point of view, the RCC-M code is the major continuing education, training and professional
reference code in existence since the creation of AFCEN. development, code and standard, research
conferences and publications, government relations,
and other forms of outreach. --- -
• RCC-M was based on a combination of the ASME Section Ill Code, ASME then acted in various domains: it formed its
. ..
Westinghouse pressurized water reactor (PWR) Design research act1v1t1es in 1909 and has led in the
Specifications, and French construction practices. development of technical standards;
a
• Later in 2009, the Commissariat I'Energie Atomique Franc;:ais (CEA) From 1870 to 191 0, at least I 0,000 boiler explosions in
and other services such as AREVA-TA and the French DCN (known North America were recorded. By 191 0, the rate jumped
as DCNS since 2007), both involved in PWR activities related to to 1300 to 1400 a year. By 1930, SO years after ASME
nuclear boilers, submarines and ships, were also integrated as was founded, the Society had grown to 20,000
associate members of AFCEN. In 2010, AFCEN expanded members, Today 125,000 members focused on technical,
membership to allow any nuclear organization to become a educational, and research issues.
member and participate in AFCEN activities
 4 of29

General Organization of codes

RCC-M ASME Comments

AFCEN PWR reactor codes and sections ASHE various sections
Section Title Sections Title
-- ------- I Rules for Construction of Power Boilers
II Materials II Materials
.Part A-Ferrous Material Specifications
r
-- Part B -Nonferrous Material Specifications
Part C-Specifications for Welding Rods,
Electrodes, and Filler Metals
Part D -Properties (Customary)
Part D -Properties (Metric} .r.

I Nuclear Island Components Rules for Construction of Nuclear Facility

Ill
Components
Subsection "A" -General Rules Subsection NCA-General Requirements for
Division I and Division 2
-- ------- Division I
Subsection "B"-Class I Components Subsection NB-Class I Components
Subsection "C" -Class 2 Components Subsection NC -Class 2 Components
Subsection "D" -Class 3 Components Subsection ND -Class 3 Components
Subsection "P" -Containment penetration Subsection NE-Class MC Components
Subsection "H -Supports Subsection NF -Supports
Subsection "G"-Core Support Structures Subsection NG -Core Support Structures
-- ------- Subsection NH-Class I Components in
Elevated Temperature Service
Subsection "Z"-Technical Appendices Appendices
-- ------- Division 2 -Code for Concrete Containments
:(

5 of29

General Organization of codes

RCC-M ASME Comments

-- ............... Division 3-Containments for Transportation
and Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High
-_..,
Level Radioactive Material and Waste
Subsection "E"-Small Components -- -------
Subsection "J" - Low Pressure or Atmospheric Storage
NC/ ND 3800- 3900
Tanks
-- ------- IV Rules for Construction of Heating Boilers
Ill Examination Methods v Nondestructive Examination
-- .............. VI
Recommended Rules for the Care and
Operation of Heating Boilers
Recommended Guidelines for the Care of Power
------- VII Boilers
-- ------- VIII Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
-- ------- Division I
-- ------- Division 2-Alternative Rules
-- ------- Division 3 -Alternative Rules for Construction
of High Pressure Vessels
-- ................. IX Welding and Brazing Qualifications
-- ................. X Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels
IV Welding
XI
Rules for lnservice Inspection of Nuclear Power
Plant Components
-- ------- XII Rules for Construction and Continued Service of
Transport Tanks
v --
VI
Fabrication
Probationary Phase Rules --
Various Part of Sect. Ill
------- . .
 6 of29
General

RCC-M ASME Comments

• RCC-M is specific to PWR nuclear island components. ASME has larger scope including nuclear components,
presented in various sections.
• In-service inspection of nuclear power plant components are not Rules for in-service inspection of nuclear power
defined in the RCC-M but can be found in AFCEN's RSE M Plant components, which are defined in ASHE Section
XI.
• RCC-M Code evolution in France ASME BPVC evolution in the U.S.
• RCC-M Code is focused mainly on the rules for The ASME BPVC aims at laying down rules for nuclear For Class I vessels, the
construction of mechanical equipment for PWR reactors components as a whole, as its title indicates for multiple RCC-M is generally more
types of nuclear power plant designs. prescriptive than ASME
Section Ill; RCC-M and
ASME Section Ill are used
with a different QA
organization.
• The RCC-M does not have any stamping or It is specified in Section III Division I NB-1 I I 0
certificate holders. "Subsection NB contains rules for the material,
stamping, and preparation reports by the
• RCC-M does not identify Design Specification as such, (design Certificate
"Design Holder." appears in the paragraph NB
Specification"
requirements are included in equipment specification in RCC- I 13 I of the ASME BPVC. RCC-M is in most cases self-
M). supported, while ASME BPVC, states that a Design
Specification issued by the owner should be used.
... ..,._-

• In RCC-M deterioration is partially covered in the French code ASME BPVC mentions clearly in the paragraph NB- 1 I I0
in various sections about fatigue, fracture, and so on. that the scope of this code will not cover any
deterioration of material in-service.
• The definition of the jurisdictional boundary is not clearly A full description about Boundaries of Jurisdiction is
specified in the RCC-M. made in NBI 130
• Electrical and mechanical penetration assemblies are
considered in RCC-M in Section Ill, subsection P.
ASME BPVC does not consider Electrical and
mechanical penetration. .
• RCC-M limits the number to the Materials described in
ASME allows numerous materials in Section II
8 2000
 .7s J29
General
RCC-M

Comme
nts
• For
procuremen
t, tensile
tests are
required to
be done at
room

on trend
curves for
high
temperature

to
determine
without
addition
al
tensile
test.

character
istics of
material
propertie
s are
different
in
the two codes,
• RCC-M
uses the
European
AFNOR
norm as with
well as its Appendix
own ASME II only,
uses its own and
specificati that in addition
on system management cert
(based on • The
the absence of
Specifica a Third
tion Party in
Techniq the RCC-M
ue de Code is
Reference
. ASTM considers
• RCC-M that the
Code incl attentive
udes all survey of
the the Third
informatio compensated by a series of additional tests.
n about
the ASME w
BPVC i
requires l
identificatio
l
n of some
a
of the If s
materials are c
selected e
r
t
informa a
tion in i
the n
ASTM
standar t
ds. from h
Section a
II of the t
ASME
BPVC. t
used h
along e
 h
r a
e r
q a
u c
i t
r e
e r
d i
s
c t
h i
a c
r s
a
c o
t f
e
r t
i h
s e
t
i m
c a
s t
e
m r
e i
e a
t l

t s
h u
e p
p
a l
c i
t e
u d
a .
l •
R
c
.
C h
C t
-
M t
e
u s
s t
e ,
s
o
C r
h
a
r u
p s
y e
s
V
- U
n .
o S
t .
c
h s
t
t a
e n
s d
t a
, r
d
d s
r ,
o
p a
s
w
e m
i e
g n
t
i s
o t
n a
e n
d d
a
i r
n d

t a
h s
e
a
c
a b
l a
c s
u i
l s
a .
t
e
s a

R r
T a
g
N r
O a
T p
h
w
i N
t B
h -
2
I 3
S 0
O 0
• RCC-M n
gives a very g
detailed
listing of m
the steps a
that ASME t
leaves much e
more r
responsibil i
ity and/or a
freedom l

to c
o
t m
h p
e o
s
o i
w t
n i
e o
r n

o a
r n
d
d
e s
s e
i l
g e
n c
e t
r i
o
r n
e .
g
a I
r t
d
i i
s n
a
n l
o
t s
p
s e
e c
l i
f f
- i
s c
u a
p t
p i
o o
r n
t s
i .
n •
g H
o
a m
n o
d g
e
r n
e e
l i
i t
e y
s
o
o f
n
t
a h
d e
d
i
t m
i a
o t
e (For Class
r I
i equipment)
a .
l

p
r
o
p
e
r
t
i
e
s

s
h
o
u
l
d

b
e

e
v
a
l
u
a
t
e
d

f
o
r
 ...· ..

8 of29

Quality Management Systems

RCC-M ASME Com ments
• RCC-M does not require accreditation .only for industrial codes The ASME Sect. Ill standardized program for
or standards, European regulation CE marking is the testimony of accreditation of manufacturers and fabricators provides
assessment under third party survey great u niform ity of acceptance of these organ izations and
...... .,..._.._ ,
therefore a great reliability on their assurance of
product quality.
• The RCC-M refers in Section I A-SOOO to a combination of the SO ASME uses Nuclear Quality Assura nce (NQA-1 ), which
C/SG Quality Standard written by the International Atomic provides quality assurance program requirements
Energy Agency (IAEA) and the IS0-900 I /9002 Standard, first for Nuclear Type or N-Type Certificate Holders.
implemented in the late 1980s. The ASME refers to th is Standard, in its Section Ill
Division I NCA-4000.
• objective of these ISO standards is customer satisfaction ASME Code relies on a very technical and nuclear
industry oriented standard.
• The RCC-M gives more responsibility or freedom to the owners For construction of Division I and Division 2
pertaining to construction of Division I and Division 2 components, components, including Class I pressure vessels, r
including Class I pressure vessels. Owners may here be the ASME N-Type certification program provides rules and
contractor, manufacturer, or supplier, as specified in Section requirements for designers, component owners,
I A-S I 00. It is the responsibility of the owner to prepare and authorized inspection, professional engineers,
implement a quality system that is compliant with the code material suppliers, qualification documents, and
the application of the N-stamp, quality assurance,
and registration with the ASHE.
• The RCC-M does not address certification, but every company The ASME requires a Registered Professional
has a QA program and internal requirements to assign Engineer to certify the component, the design
engineers to particular tasks. specification, the overpressure protection report,
design report, and/or construction report.
 9 of29

Material Testing Methods

ASME
RCC-M Brief Description Corresponding Brief Description of Paragraphs
Paragraphs of Paragraph Content Paragraphs
Tensile Testing Comments
MC 1210: Tension testing machines shall be SA370 Sec7.1: The machine should be ASME referre&€4 -an d
ASME SEC II calibrated period ically in accordance RCCM referred NF EN
RCC-M SEC Ill verified as specified in standard NF EN ISO
7500-1. with the Latest revision of Practices E 4. ISO 7500-1.
Tensile test sample dimensions, orientation and location (Room Temperature) Comments
I n RCCM small
MC 1210 ANN £X D: Specimen diameter SA370Sec II.I;Standard [Link]'m specimens may only be
RCC-M SEC Ill
ASME SEC II (reduced section) diameter round test
shall be I 0 mm (Reduced section). used for information
specimen is used.
purposes.
M334.2: Specimens shall be located at a NB 2222.2, Plates: Coupons shall be RCCM restricted the
d i stance at least equal to the thickness of ta ken so that specimens shall have their test specimen distance
the plate, but no more than 50 mm longitud inal axes at least I I 4 t from a from heat-t reated edges.
RCC-M SEC II ASME SEC Ill
from the latter's Heat-treated edge. rolled surface and with the mid length of
the specimen at least "t" from an y heat-
treated edge
MC 1211: Where the thickness of the tube £8 6.9. I & SA370 A2.2.3: Tubular ASME referred SA370
a
(or fitting) allows, test specimen with a products: Except as l i mited by the and RCCM referred NF
testing equipment, it is standard practice EN ISO 6892-1 for
diameter of 10 mm shall be used.
Otherwise, the test shall be performed to use tension test specimens of full size obtaining test specimen.
tubu lar sections. For tubes or pi pes
on strips cut from the tube (or fitting)
having wall th ickness of less than 19mm
or on sections of tube (or fitting). ASTM
and nominal diameter over 200mm, the
&
RCC-M SEC Ill transverse test specimen shall be
NF EN ISO 6892-1 "Tensi on testing (test ASME SEC II prepared. ·-- -
method)". Also longitudinal test specimens are
obtained from strips cut. .
However for tubes over 19mm in wall
thickness the sample will be of the type
given round test specimen in SA370
Sec 11.1 .
 · -

10 of29
ASME
RCC-M Brief Description
Paragraphs of Paragraph Content Corresponding Brief Description of Paragraphs
Paragraphs
Tensile test sample dimensions, orientation and location (Elevated temperature) Comments
Position orientation as well as geometry of E.21 Sec7.2: Test specimens shall be - Same requirement of
specimen shall be the same as for the tension test oriented such that the axis of the room tem rature and
at room temperature. specimen is parallel to the direction of elevated temperature in •
fabrication, and located as follows: RCCM.
E.21 Sec7.2.1: At the center for
products 38 mm or less in thickness,
diameter, or distance between flats.
Ell Sec 7.2.2: Midway from the center
- ASME referred to
ASTM for elevated •
to the surface for products over 38 mm temperature.
RCC-M SEC Ill ASTM thickness, diameter, or distance between
flats.
MC 1212: The rate of stressing shall not exceed [Link] During yield strength RCCM specified stress ...,
80 MPa per mim!te up to yield strength. determination, maintain the strain rate in ratio for only up to yield
the un iform section of the test specimen strength.
at 0.005 6 0.002/min. After yield
strength determination, increase the rate
of crosshead motion to 0.05 6 0.01
times the adjusted length of the reduced
section of the specimen per minute.

Impact testing Comments

< - .. MC 1220: The impact machine strike radius is SA370 sec 21.1.1: The impact machine
lmm strike radius is 8mm
MC 1220: Dimensions of specimens and test SA370 sec 22.1.2: Charpy impact test ASME refereed SA370
conditions shall comply with the prevailing consists of three specimens of and RCCM refereed NF
RCC-M SEC Ill AFNOR standard referred to below. ASME SEC II dimensions I Ox I Ox55 mm EN I 0045.1 for detail
A - NF EN I 0045.1 "Charpy impact test" test specimen
MC 1221: "Lateral expansion value - in accordance Lateral expansion value determines ·Lateral expansion ·
with specification ASTM A 370" by gauge as per ASTM A 370. requirement is same.
Micrometer readings shall also be authorized.
 11 of29

M344.3 (c): Longitudinal axes of specimens shall NB-2222.2: Cou pons shall be taken so RCCM does not
be that specimens shall have their mention numerical value
parallel to the skin of the rolled plate and longitudinal axes at least I I 4 t from of orientation for impact
RCC-M SEC II perpendicular to the final rolling direction. ASME SEC Ill a rolled surface and with the mid length sample.
Impact test notch roots shall be of the specimen at least t from any
perpendicular to the skin of the rolled plate. heat- treated edge, where t is the
nominal th ickness of the material.
Comments
Determination of RTNoT
MC 1222: Tests shall be performed in compliance NB 2330: For determination of RT NDT
with MC 1221 at no less than five different no temperature lim itations are given.
temperatures.
MC 1222: NC-2331: Lowest service
- one test at 0°C, Charpy V-notch testing at or below the temperature is d efined
:
- one at a temperature on the lower she l Lowest Service Metal Temperature. in ASME. ... .............. -..:>

of the curve, corresponding to less tha1 ASM E SEC Ill

I 0% fibrous fracture,
RCC-M S EC Ill
- one at a temperature equal to I 00% fibrous
fracture,
-Other temperatures selected with
a view to defining the Shape of
the curve as accurately as possible.
MC 1222: As specified by NF EN I 0045.1, the E23 8.2.4: Hold the specimen at he Specimen hold at desired
temperature of the specimen at fracture shall not desired temperature with in ±I oc in the temperature difference in
differ by more than :t rc from the specified test ASTM temperature RCCM and ASTM.
temperature. Conditioning environment.
Material Testing Methods

ASHE
RCC·M Brief Description
Paragraphs of Paragraph Content
Corresponding Brief Description of Paragraphs Comments
Paragraphs
Drop weight testing Comments
MC 1230: Test specimens shall be P3 type as per E 208 7.5: Three standard PI , P2, P3 RCCM specified on ly P3
RCC-M SEC Ill ASTM
ASTM E 208. types samples can be used for testing. type sample as per ASTM.
MC 1230: Test temperatures for cases where NC-2310: TNDT is performed on - Lowest service
specification calls for determination ofTNDT, the Lowest Service Temperature of fluid temperatu re is defi ned i n
test shall be performed as per MC 1230, (Table retained component. ASME.
MC 1230.1, Table MC 1230.2, and Table MC
RCC-M SECllf" 1230.3). ASME SEC Ill -Temperatures mentioned
in table of RCCM MC-1230
for cases where
specification calls
for RTNDT.
 . _.

13 of29

Pressure Vessel Material (Chemical Requirement)

Ladle analysis Product analysis

% %
Elements
M2111 SA508 M2111 SA-508+SA-788
(RCCM) (ASHE) (RCCM) (ASHE)
Max. Phosphorus 0.008 0.025 0.008 0.025

Max. Sulphur 0.005 0.025 0.005 0.025

0.40-1.00
Nickle 0.50-0.80 0.40-1.00 0.50-0.80 .
Variation 0.03
.-
0.05
Max. Vanadium 0.01 0.05 0.01
Variation 0.0I

Max. Columbium --- 0.01 --- 0.01

Max. Copper 0.08 0.20 0.08 0.20

..
Max. Calcium --- 0.015 --- 0.015

Max. Boron --- 0.003 --- 0.003

Max. Titanium --- 0.015 --- '

0.015

Aluminium Max. --- 0.025 0.04 0.025

Preferred Max. 0.04 --- --- ---
Max. Cobalt 0.03 - 0.03 -
 14 of29

Table 5--- Pressure Vessel Material (Toughness Properties)

Required Value
.,... .. Test Temperature Properties
TRANSVERSE LONGITUDINAL
Min. average value 80J 80J
o c
Min. individual value 60J 60J
Mllll Min. average value 40J 56J
-2o·c
Min. individual value 28J 40J
+2o·c Min. individual value I04J 120J

SA-508 4.4•c
Min. average value 41J ,
Min. individual value 34J

Table 6--- Pressure Vessel Material (Strength Properties)

Required Value
Test Temperature Properties Circumferential
Direction
Tensile Strength
550/670 MPa
(Rm)
Yield Strength
Room 400 MPa
(Rp0.2 minimum value)
Elongation %
Mllll 20
.,.. .. (A % (5d) minimum value)
Tensile Strength
497 MPa
(Rm minimum value)
35o·c
Yield Strength
300 MPa
(Rtp0.2 minimum value)
Tensile Strength 550/725 MPa
Yield Strength Min Value 345 MPa
SA-508 Room
Elongation % IS
Reduction of Area % 38
 15 of29

Material Testing Methods

ASME
RCC-M Brief Description
Paragraphs of Paragraph Content
Corresponding Brief Description of Paragraphs Comments
Paragraphs
IGC Testing Sample sizes.

ASME SA 480 {15.2.1) & SA 312 {S7.1) & 479 {S2.1) referred to ASTM A 262

Section Ill As per ASTM A262 practice E.

For all sizes of plates the specimen shall normally
Table 6: In RCC-H 4rn.m4hic-kness
be 70 x I 0 x 4 mm with one rolled face. plates up to Smm thickness: needed with one rolled
Full thickness by 9 to 25 mm wide by surface but in ASTM
. 75 mm long
A262 upto 13mm
thickness used.
Over 5 mm thickness:
:
5 to I3 mm by 9 to 25 mm wide by
HC 1312.1 ASTHA262 75 mm long

Tubes upto 30 mm Diameter or less may be full Tubes Up to 38 mm diameter Full --

rings 30 mm in length. ring 25 mm length
Tubes over 30 mm diameter shall be procured in Tubes Over 38 mm diameter In RCC-H sec-Ill tube
the same way circumferential segment 75 mm (min) sample direction
as plates or strips. long cut from a 25 mm wide ring. longitudinally but in
ASTMA262
circumferential segment
used,.
 .. -

16 of29

IGC Testing, Sample treatment.

700oC for 18-1 0 steels without molybdenum, ASTM A262
ASTM A262 Art 27.3 The sensitizing treatment
725 oc for 18-10 steels with molybdenum. 675oC is performed for a
Heating time shall not exceed five minutes and Specimens of extra-low-carbon extra low carbon sample
temperature shall be held to within ± I0°C for 30 are sensitized in furnace In RCC-M sensitizing
MC 1312.3 ASTM A262
minutes. I hat 67S°C. treatment for extra low
carbon and molybdenum
Specimens shall then be cooled in the furnace
very slowly to 500°C at a constant rate of
Sample. follow Art MC
1314 •
60°C ±soc per hour. They may subsequently be
air cooled.

The test specimen shall be immersed for 72 ASTM A 262Art 29.1 .3 Art 29.1.3
.... ......_.. ....... hours* in a boiling solution with the followi,ng If not IS h, the test time
shall be specified on the
The timof the test shall be a test report. Fresh test
ASTMA262 minimum of IS hours solution would not be
needed if the test
were to run 48 or even 72
hours.

composition (by weight): ASTM A262 Art 29.1

MC 1 312.4 composition (by Area): In RCCM composition of
I0% crystallized copper sulphate (CuSO 4 , SH 2 solution by weight but in
0); The volume of acidified copper ASTMA262
I 0% sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), specific gravity: 1 .83; sulfate test solution composition of solution by
80% distilled water. ASTMA262 used should be sufficient to completely area.
immerse the specimens .
and provide a minimum of 8 mUcm 2 A262 (Note 19)
of specimen
surface area. The solution will contain
--
•(

17 of29

I 0% crystallized copper sulphate (CuSO 4 , 5H 2 ASTM A 262 Art 26.1 approximately 6% weight
0); Dissolve I 00 g of copper sulfate of anhydrous CCJSO 4 and
I 0% sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), specific gravity: 1 .83; (CuSO 4 ·5H 2 0) in 700 16 % weight of H 2 S04.
80% distilled water. ASTM A262 mL of distilled water, add I 00 ml
of sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 , cp,
sp gr 1 .84), and dilute to I 000 mL

..
with distilled water.

ASTM A 262 Art 25.1 In RCCM MC 1312.4

glass Erlenmeyer flask with a ground Immersion time may be
Each test specimen shall be completely 45/50 glass shortened to 24 hours by
immersed in a separate Erlenmeyer or round ASTM A262 joint and four-bulb (minimum) Allihn adding copper grindings to
glass flask condenser with 45/50 the reagent.
containing 250 cm3 minimum of reagent. ground glass joint A silicone grease
is recommended for the ground glass
joint.
sound test: which involves dropping the specimens
onto a metal surface ASTMA 262 RCCM MC 1313
The thinner the specimen, the more difficult Art 30.1.3 The thinner the specimen,
the more difficult it will be
it will be to interpret its sound qualities. An air or Hydraulic press may also be to interpret its sound
used for bending the specimens. qualities.
ASTMA262
Specimens Where partial or
complete break occurs,

broken edges should not exhibit signs of

intergranular corrosion.
 I 8 of29

Bending of sample
bend test: the specimen shall be bent slowly ASTM A262 Art 30 In RCCM sample shall
through a 90° angle around a mandrel no more The test specimen shall be bent be bent slowly 90°
than twice its pre-corrosion testing thickness. through 180° and over [Link] in ASTM A262
ASTM A262 a diameter equal to the thickness of specimen shall be bent
..... ..,,. the specimen through 1 80° and over •
diameter equal to the
thickness of the
specimen
--
MC 13 1 2.5 Where the specimen is a full tube ring then As per A 450
flattening grips is four times the thickn ss of ASTM A262 Art 30.1.4 Tubular products should
the ring. Tubular products should be be flattened in
flattened in accordance accordance with the H
If the tube has a longitudinal weld, it must be ASTMA262 with the flattening test, value. as per given A
folded along the weld axis. prescribed in Test Methods and 450 but in RCC-M
Definitions A 370 & A 450 flattening ,grips is four
times the thickness of
the ring.
The axis ofthis specimen shall be parallel to ASTM A262 Art
the direction of forging. 28.1.1 Specimens obtained by
Specimen shall be located at least 3 mm from shearing should have the sheared
the skin of the ingot. edges machined or ground off prior
MC 1 315 to testing. In RCCM and ASTM
ASTM A262 Care A262 specimen should
Specimens of products > 4 mm thick shall be ASTM A262 Art 28.1 .2 should be well machined.
reduced to 4 mm by machining one face be taken when grinding to avoid
.... ..,..._,. ......
only. overheating or "burning. "squared"
edge is desirable.
 19 of29

Evaluation of sample
Test is performed in compliance with standard ASTM A262 Art 31.1 RCCM MC 1313
NF A 05-150. One of the magnificat!ons used The bent specimen shall be Microscopic examination
for examined under low (5 to shall only be performed
this examination shall be 200 x. 20X) magnification. where doubt arises as to
how the results for the
MC 1322 ASTMA262
metallographic examination of two preceding tests
the outer radius of a should be interpreted.
longitudinal section of the bend
specimen at a magnification of
100 to 250 x.
..... -.... ...
GRAIN SIZE MEASUREMENT
This method shall be used in accordance with Art II
AFNOR Standard NF A 05-165 This method used plan metric(or
Jeffries) procedure

The magnification used shall be between I00 Art 11.1 In RCC:-M grain size
and 800x The relative accuracy shall be I0%. Select a magnification which will give measurement as per
at least 50 grains in the field to magnification but in
be counted. ASTM EI 12 grain size
calculated with respect
ASTM E 112
to no of grain cover in
the field.
The determination shall be performed after Art 7.4 In RCC-M oxalic etching
oxalic etching on Two sections cut along The specimen shall be etched using is used for
perpendicular planes. a reagent such as listed in practice determination but in
E 407, to delineate most, or all of ASTM Ell2 chemical
the grain boundaries. etching is used.
The minimum number of area tested on each Art 11.1 ASTM E I 12 method is
plane Shall be 30. Count a minimum of three field to must shorteneraas •
ensure a reasonable average compared to RCC-M.
 20 of 29
The apparatus shall be calibrated before Art 8.1 In ASTM Ell2
MC 1343 any measurement session, Use a stage micrometer to micrometer is used for
This calibration shall give the assurance that determit-:e the true linear grain structure but in
the response of the apparatus is linear. magnification for each objective, RCC-M sigma meter is
Use sigma meter (magnetic Saturation eyepiece and bellows, or zoom used for metallographic
method) or by the metallographic method. setting to be within ± 2%. method
Surface roughness of the part or of the sample Minimum polished surface area of In ASTM E I 12 polished •
in the measurement area shall be Ra < 20 160mm2 is adequate. surface is required but in
[Link]. RCC-M polished surface
not necessary.
Minimal dimensions: Art 7.3 Polished surface is
thickness > I em, plane surfaces > 2.5 em x Minimum polished surface area of required for ASTM
2.5 [Link] cut from one ingot, 160mm2 is adequate. E I 12 samples but
the sample shall be taken at more than IS in RCC-M surface
mm from the skins. roughness is used.
The distance between the measurement point Art 11.1 Distance mention in
and the edge of the sample or of the part shall Select a magnification which will give RCC-M but in ASTM
. ·· be higher than I em. at least 50 grains in the field to E I 12 no of grains
be counted. contains in the field.
Art 1.1
The ferrite conter.t shall be determined from Systematic manual point counting
the mean value of a set of several procedure for statically estimating
measurements on the prepared surface of the the volume fraction of an In RCC-M sigma meter
part or on the sample ASTM E 562 identifiable constituent or phase is used for counting
from sections through the grains but in ASTM E
microstructure by means of a point 562 point counting
grid. as per method is used.
fig# 0 I

Chemical Analysis .
ASME SA 480 & SA 479 refer to ASTM A751
chemical analyses shall be
chemical analyses shall be
MC 1350 performed in accordance with AFNOR Performed in accordance with
standards ASTM A751
ASTM A751 standard.
 21 of29

CHAPTER 02.
Design
 22 of29
Comparison of RCC-H. Subsection B (20 12) vs. ASHE Subsection NB (20 I 0)
(Class I components design)

ASHE Brief Description Corresponding Paragraph of

Paragraphs of Paragraph Content RCC-H Comments
Leak Tightness: •
.... .. Where a system leak tightness greater than
that required or demonstrated by a hydrostatic Differences m ay be due
NB-3134: Not in RCC-M
test is required, the leak tightness to regulari ty
requirements for each component shall be set requ irements.
forth in the Design Specifications.
Appurtenances:
(a) Except as permitted in (b) below, the
portions of appurtenances having a pressure
retaining function shall be designed in
accordance with the rules for components.
(b) Small diameter appurtenance fabrication
weld joints may be designed using weld joi nt
detai ls in accordance with Fig. NB-4440-1 ,
provided the following requirements are met.
(I) The appurtenance weld joint shall have an
NB-3136: outside diameter equal to NPS 2 (DN 50) or Nothing in RCC-M
less (Fig. NB-4440- 1 ).
(2) The design of the welded joints shall be
such that the stresses will not exceed the limits
described in NB-3220 and tabulated in Section
II, Part D, Subpart I, Tables 2A
... -· and 28.
(3) A fatigue strength reduction factor of 4
shall be used in the fatigue analysis of the joints.
.
(4) The requi rements of NB-4440 and NB-
5260 shall be satisfied.
 -
Attachments:
NB-1132: Clear definition and consequences attachments Not in RCC-M
on design and fabrication/examination_
Classification of Stresses:
Tables NB-3217-1 and NB-3217-2 provide
NB-3217: No table [Link]-M
assistance in the determination of the category
to which a stress should be assigned.
Components Not Requiring Analysis for
Cyclic Service:
An analysis for cyclic service is not required,
and it may be assumed that the limits on peak ---->
stress intensities as governed by fatigue have
NB-3222.4: been satisfied for a component by compliance No exemption rule in RCC-M
with the applicable requirements for material,
design, fabrication, examination, and testing of
this Subsection, provided the specified Service
Loading of the component or portion thereof
meets all the stipulated conditions.
NB-3223: Level 8 Service Limits No level B service limits in RCC-M
Fatigue Requirements: -
Service Loadings for which Level C Service Differences may be due
Limits are designated need not be considered to d ifferent technical
NB-3224.5: No fatigue exemption rules for class I components.
when applying the procedures of NB- approaches.
3222.4(a) to determine whether or not a
fatigue analysis is required.
Level 8 Service Limits for bolts: No level B service limits in RCC-M
NB-3233:
Level A Service Limits (NB-3232) apply. -do-
ASMf Code includes
/requirements applicable to
provisions
the owner,
.
contractor agreement by ASME and verification
by registered professional engineers, ASME Out of the RCC-M Code
quality system certificates for material
·- -
manufacturers, and certification by Authorized
Inspectors.
 --

24 of29

A class 2 Design Report shall be prepared for Small piping with a nominal diameter
class I piping DN 25 or less. of 50 or less may be designed according to class 2
rules.
Ap-pendix N ,Dynamic Analysis Methods No equivalent chapter
(seismic, surge, flow induced vibrations) in RCC-M.
NCA-3551.1: Openings: •
Reinforcement
ASME code (NB-3334) does not
not mandatory for RCC-M: reinforcement to be
Require a detailed calculation but gives
justified in detail.
mandatory reinforcement rules.
Thickness to consider in analysis (B 3162)
Operating conditions classification in 4 categories. (B
I
3120)
Ageing and radiation protection considerations
included in RCC-M code
are owner responsibility in ASME code.
--

25 of29

CHAPTER 03.
Production
 .·

26 of29
Code Comparison Report for Welding and Fabrication of Class- I Nuclear Power Plant Components
(RCC-M with ASME Section Ill NB).

Parameter RCC-M ASME Remarks.

General In RCC-M Section IV deals with all aspects of In ASME [Link] along with Sec. II and Sec. Ill are RCC-M prescriptions are
welding. The scope of Section IV of RCC-M is followed for welding requirements. often more detailed.
consequently wider than one of section IX of
•
ASME, covering all aspects contained in ASME

Preheat
- -· Sec. II and Ill
The minimum preheat temperatures required In ASME (NB-4611) requires that the welding RCC-M requirements
by RCC-M are in line with those suggested by procedure specification of the material being welded are more stringent than
ASME (NB 461 0). In particular RCC-M B4440 shall specify the minimum preheating requirement the min 120 c o
recommends minimum 150Co and 175 co for under the welding procedure qualification temperature suggested
the pressure retaining components of the requirements of section IX. by ASME for equivalent
reactor vessel and steam generator or · material grades and
pressurizer respectively. thickness ranges,
Inter-pass For inter-pass RCC-M requires qualification ASME requires qualification (Section IX) and only Almost identical.
(S 1320) but no specific requirement on the states that consideration should be given to quenched
inter-pass temperature are given. and tempered material.
Post- heat For post-heating, RCC-M (S 1330) states that In ASME the PWHT requirements are discussed in PWHT temperature
when preheating is required than post heating NB-4622 and exemptions are addressed in table NB- ranges in RCC-M are
is required at a temperature equal to or 4622.7(b)-l. identical to those
greater than the minimum preheating specified by ASME Ill
temperature for min. 60 minutes, except if with the exception of
PWHT is performed straight after welding carbon steel
without cooling to ambient temperature. (P-1) where the ranges
According to B4440, post heating is overlap in the interval
compulsory for welding performance on SG, 595 to 625 C0

.
•

RPV and pressurizer with minimum 200 co

.... _..,. .. recommended for two hours.

Welding RCC-M (S3200) requires welding procedure ASME 111-NB-4300 requires that ASME IX be applied Format of
procedure qualification according to BN ISO 15614-1 and and provides additional requirements for toughness documentation is
qualification to a number of additional requirements defined testing. different, even if the
in clauses S3200 and B4231. process is identical in
itself and differs only by
a
few parameters --
 27 of29

Tube-to-Tube The procedure and performance qualification For ASME the required throat thickness is minimum Almost identical
sheet welding requirements for tube to tube sheet welding 0.66 and no requirement on average.
are almost identical, with the exception of the
leak test ( not required by ASME) and the
required throat thickness which is average 0.8
{min.0.66) time the nominal wall thickness of
the tubes for
RCC-M.
Execution of In various clauses on welding qualification and ASME Sec. Ill NB-4424.1 ( c) allows l/32in. (0.8mm RCC-M is more strict.
.. ... -...;o

production welds during fabrication, RCC-M permits no undercut). Root concavity is allowed by ASME NB-
undercut. Similarly root concavity is not 4424.1 {d)) provided the minimum required thickness
permitted by RCC-M. is obtained.
Repairs by RCC-M restricts the number of repairs in the The ASME code does not provide any specific RCC-M is more strict.
welding same location to maximum two, with further restriction on the number of repairs. This will depend
repairs subject to analysis of the causes of the on the required PWHT holding time and on the total
issue and to contactor's approval. PWHT length covered by the corresponding
procedure qualification.
Repairs without Both codes permit weld repair without post ASME 111-NB allow the following welding processes The ASME code provides
post-weld heat weld heat treatment provided the temper bead SMAW, GMAWand FCAW (GTAW is allowed for more specific and
treatment. technique is applied while repair welds to cladding). stringent requirements
for the performance and
qualification of temper
bead welding.
RCC-M requires that for main joints of class I, There is no mention of production test coupons in Production welds Test

..
cProduction
o upon. test
2 and 3 components, one production coupon ASME Sec. Ill. Usually for nuclear components coupon are required
representative of production welds is made per manufactured according to ASME, provisions for even after welding
welding procedure qualification per workshop production test coupons are provided in the technical qualification in RCC-M.
and per pressure retaining components. Special specifications for the particular component. AStlE does not require
cases (S7822) are provided, e.g. tube to tube so many test coupons
sheet welds, class I, 2 and 3 pipe welds and and it typically...ry-in
others. practice on manufacturer
work under survey of
third part.
Marking method Methods of marking the material are discuss in In NB-4122 and NB-2150 only purpose of marking is RCC-M is more
for material detail F21 00, F2200, F2300 and F2400. given that is to identify the material but not any prescriptive.
method is mentioned.
 .-

28 of29
Cutting. The requirement for cutting the material by In NB-421 1.1 consideration for preheating the RCC-M is more
sharing, Oxy-gas and gas Tungsten Arc cutting material before thermal cutting is given using preheat prescriptive.
are given in F31 00, F3200, F3300 and F3400. schedules such as suggested in Appendix-D.

Qualification of The qualification of forming process is required According to ASME NB-4213 qualification of forming RCC-M lays down very
the forming in the following case. process will be conducted to determine that the stringent steps to follow
procedure. a)- For an operation or series of operations required impact properties of NB-2300 are met after concerning forming and •
performed at temperatures above 150C0• straining. Exemptions for procedure qualification test bending.
b)- For an operation performed at a are given NB-4213.1.
temperature less than or equal to ISOCo when
the maximum elongation is greater than 5% for
carbon or alloy steel and I0% for austenitic
stainless steel.
Tolerance for Out of Roundness shall not exceed the lesser The difference in inch. (mm) between the maximum Almost identical.
Vessel Shells. of (D+ 1250)/200mm or D/ IOOmm where D is diameters at any cross sectiotl shall not exceed the
nominaiiD in mm. smaller of (D+50)/200
[(D+ 1250)/200] or D/ I00 where D is the nominal ID
in mm
Tolerances for The-dished inner surface of an ellipsoidal or The inner surface of a Torispherical or ellipsoidal head Almost identical.
Formed Vessel torispherical head shall not deviate from the shall not deviate outside the specified shape by more
Heads. specified inner shape at any given point by than I '14% of D, inside the specified shape by more
more than 1 .25% of D toward the outside than 5/8% of D, where D is the nominal ID of vessel
and
0.63% D of toward inside where D is the
Tolerances for nominal Dia of vessel. The ovality of pipe after bending will be Almost identical.
Formed or Bent Maximum ovality after forming (Dmax IOO x (Dmax-Dmin)/Do<8%, where Do is the
Piping. Dmin)/DN<8% where DN is nominal Diameter nominal pipe outside diameter.
Alignment of pipe. · Table NB-4232-1 gives maximum allowed Offset in When t< 13 mm,
Tolerances when Table F 4320.b gives maximum allowable Offset final welded joints. criterion is similar to
ide surfaces in final welded joints RCC-M When t 13mm,
are accessible When t< 12mm, offset=t/4mm criterion is different
When t 12mm, Offset = t/1 0+2mm, class from RCC-M with
I and 2 (maximum 8mm) and for class 3 Maximum permissible
this value is increased co IOmm. offset is IOmm for
longitudinal and 19mm
for circumferential weld
joints.
I '"
...
,. (

29 of29

Alignment Inside Offset- t/20+ Imm maximum For concentric, circumferential joints ASME is more strict.
Tolerances when permissible inside offset=3mm for class I and 2 Uniform offset of 0.8mm is permissible all round
inside surfaces components and 3.75 for class 3 components the circumference
are Inaccessible. [F4330] Maximum permissible inside offset at any point is
1 .5mm For eccentric, circumferential joints
Maximum permissible inside offset at any point is ·- -
2.5mm [NB-4233}
Cleanliness The RCC-M has grouped all experience feed The ASME BPVC does not have an equivalent section RCC-M is more
Requirements for back related to cleanliness in a dedicated pertaining to cleanliness requirements. Part of basic prescriptive.
fabrication and section of the code, section V (F-6000). cleanliness requirements can be found in various
Assembly. The RCC-M code is particularly stringent on sections of the ASME BPVC, such as section Ill Div I
this aspect. NB-4422. Pertaining to cleanliness and protection of
welding surfaces. The ASME BPVC tends to consider
implicitly this aspect as the responsibility of the owner
Surface Section V F-5000 of the RCC-M deals with The ASME BPVC has information pertaining to RCC-M is more
Treatment surface treatment as a whole. In cladding in section Ill Division I NB-4000 and in prescriptive.
encompasses various domains ranging from section IX. However, no section dedicated specially
cladding to painting. to surface treatment can be found in the ASME BPVC.

•
.,