Russian pipemaker United Metallurgical Company (OMK) has started production of new products, one-piece forged pipeline fittings for nuclear power plants, made from austenitic stainless steel, Kallanish notes.

The Belgorod Power Engineering Plant (BZEM) will use OMK-supplied austenitic, corrosion resistant chromium-nickel steel, designed for use in corrosive environments. In addition, the shape of the supplied blanks practically mirrors the shape of the finished products, meaning they require minimal machining, OMK says.

This allows customers to save time on the manufacture of pipeline fittings and consume less metal than when using standard forged billets.

OMK’s new products have already been ordered by leading suppliers of pipeline valves for nuclear power plants in Russia and Bangladesh. Deliveries to Turkey and India are also planned.

“We work with each client individually and offer specific technical solutions that improve the performance of products, extend their service life, save metal consumption and time for their manufacture,” says OMK press-forging production director Igor Khanyukov.