PROCESS FOR PRODUCING, FROM A PREFORM MADE OF AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL WITH A LOW CARBON CONTENT, A WEAR-RESISTANT AND CORROSION-RESISTANT CLADDING FOR A NUCLEAR REACTOR, CORRESPONDING CLADDING AND CORRESPONDING CONTROL CLUSTER

摘要

A method for producing a wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant stainless steel part for a nuclear reactor is provided. This method includes steps of providing a tubular blank in austenitic stainless steel whose carbon content is equal to or lower than 0.03% by weight; shaping the blank; finishing the blank to form the cladding; hardening the outer surface of the cladding by diffusing one or more atomic species; the blank, before the providing step or during the shaping or finishing step, being subjected to at least one solution annealing with sub-steps of: heating the blank to a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to solubilise any precipitates present; quenching the blank at a rate allowing the austenitic structure to be maintained in a metastable state at ambient temperature and free of precipitates.