Protecting People and the EnvironmentUNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
SSINS No.: 6835
IN 85-15
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
February 22, 1985
Information Notice No. 85-15: NONCONFORMING STRUCTURAL STEEL FOR
SAFETY-RELATED USE
Addressees:
All nuclear power reactor facilities holding an operating license (OL) or
construction permit (CP).
Purpose:
This information notice is provided to alert recipients of a potentially
significant problem pertaining to the structural material provided by steel
suppliers for safety-related use, especially plate that the steel suppliers
cut into small pieces. It is expected that recipients will review the infor-
mation for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, if appro-
priate, to preclude a similar problem occurring at their facilities.
However, suggestions contained in this information notice do not constitute
NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is
required.
Description of Circumstances:
On August 3, 1984, Illinois Power Company made notification of a potentially
reportable deficiency concerning ASTM A-36 plate material. A 1/2 x 15 x 15
in plate of steel did not behave as expected in a mechanical cutting opera-
tion. Subsequent testing of this plate showed that the physical properties
(yield and tensile strength) were less than that required by the A-36 mater-
ial specification. Confirmatory testing of samples from other plates having
the same identification number (the material manufacturer's heat number) by
a different laboratory also showed that the yield and tensile strengths were
lower than required. For all the samples tested with this identification
number, the lowest yield strength was 14% below the ASTM minimum and 23%
below the certified material test report (CMTR). The lowest tensile strength
was 24% below the ASTM minimum and 34% below the CMTR. The certified
material test report, which accompanied this material, came from Phoenix
Steel Corporation. The report showed that the material met the requirements
of ASTM A-36 and was manufactured in 1980.
Subsequently, Phoenix Steel performed a chemical analysis of two other
samples with the same identification number and concluded that this material
was not made by them. Phoenix Steel makes steel from scrap and the analysis
of trace chemical elements showed a purity not possible from the remelting
of scrap material. Testing of an additional sample with the same identifi-
cation by an independent laboratory confirmed this analysis.
8502200273
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IN 85-15
February 22, 1985
Page 2 of 3
The Illinois Power Company began a thorough examination program and dis-
covered a 1/2 x 10 x 10 in. steel plate with a different identification
number that also had yield and tensile strengths lower than required by the
A-36 material specification. The certified material test report, which
accompanied this material, came from Bethlehem Steel Corporation. The report
showed that the material met the requirements of ASTM A-36 and was
manufactured in the last half of 1980. Testing of an additional sample with
the same identification by an independent laboratory also showed yield and
tensile strengths lower than required. For all the samples tested with this
identification number, the lowest yield strength was 16% below the ASTM
minimum and 36% below the CMTR.
The lowest tensile strength was 25% below the ASTM minimum and 45% below the
CMTR. Neither Bethlehem Steel nor Phoenix Steel sell steel cut into small
pieces. In both cases, an independent supplier, Interstate Steel Supply
Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, provided the material to Illinois
Power Company. Interstate Steel purchases plates, shapes and rectangular
tubing in large quantities from steel mills and other suppliers. The
material is usually resold, as is, to small users, but occasionally the
material is cut into smaller sizes. Interstate Steel does not have an ASME
Quality System Certificate, but does supply structural steel for
safety-related use. The Clinton Power Station purchased material from
Interstate Steel for safety-related pipe supports, conduit supports, beam
stiffeners, and cable pan hangers.
Traceability of Cut Material
Until recently, Interstate Steel had a subcontractor perform all cutting of
plate. A review of certified material test reports, shipping invoices and
purchase orders, as well as discussions with subcontractors, indicated that
traceability was not maintained when material was sent out for cutting.
Interstate Steel was unable to show that the material that their vendor cut
to size and shipped to Clinton was the material shown on the certified
material test report.
A comparison was made between the quantities of steel listed on the
certified material test report, identified by heat number, and the
quantities of steel received by Illinois Power Company with the same heat
number. There were several instances where the quantities of cut plate
shipped by Interstate Steel exceeded the dimensional limitations of the
material supplied under the same heat number by Bethlehem Steel to
Interstate Steel. The disparities have not been resolved.
Safety-Related ASME Code Material
A review of certified material test reports, which were supplied by Inter-
state Steel for material delivered after April 1982 to Clinton, revealed
that Interstate Steel purchased material from sources that were not approved
to supply ASME material, in accordance with the requirements of Subarticle
NA-3700 of Section III of the ASME Code. The testing necessary to upgrade
the material, as required by Subarticle NA-3700, was not performed.
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IN 85-15
February 22, 1985
Page 3 of 3
Interstate Steel maintains inventory records by size, not by heat number,
and it does not retain inventory records beyond 4 years. The records do not
provide positive identification of the customers for a specific
manufacturer's heat number.
The Illinois Power Company is locating the material that is suspected of
having lower-than-specified yield and tensile strengths and is evaluating
the effect of reduced strength on safety. Further testing of material is
being performed.
Interstate Steel has provided a list (Attachment 1) of the nuclear power
reactor facilities to which they have supplied material. In two instances,
only the name of the utility was furnished. The list does not contain infor-
mation about the safety significance of the material.
No specific action or written response is required by this information
notice. If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the
Regional Administrator of the appropriate NRC regional office or this
office.
Edward L. Jordan, Director
Division of Emergency Preparedness
and Engineering Response
Office of Inspection and Enforcement
Technical Contacts: P. Cortland, IE
(301) 492-4175
E. T. Baker, IE
(301) 492-4874
Attachments:
1. List of Nuclear Power Reactor Facilities
Receiving Material from Interstate Steel
2. List of Recently Issued IE Information Notices
.
Attachment 1
IN 85-15
February 22, 1985
Page 1 of 1
LIST OF NUCLEAR POWER REACTOR FACILITIES
RECEIVING MATERIAL FROM INTERSTATE STEEL
UTILITY FACILITY
Carolina Power & Light Company Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant
Consumers Power Company Unknown
Duke Power Company Unknown
Duquesne Light Company Beaver Valley Power Station
Florida Power & Light Company Turkey Point Plant
Georgia Power Company Alvin W. Vogtle Nuclear Plant
GPU Nuclear Three Mile Island - 1
GPU Nuclear Three Mile Island - 2
Gulf States Utilities River Bend Station
Illinois Power Company Clinton Power Station
Long Island Lighting Company Shoreham Nuclear Power Station Niagara
Mohawk Power Company Nine Mile Point
Northeast Utilities Millstone Nuclear Power Station Unit 3
Pennsylvania Power & Light Company Susquehanna Steam Electric Station
Philadelphia Electric Company Limerick Generating Station
Philadelphia Electric Company Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station
Power Authority of the State Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant
of New York
Public Service Company of Seabrook Station
New Hampshire
Public Service Electric & Gas Hope Creek Generating Station
Company
Public Service Electric & Gas Salem Nuclear Generating Station
Company
Virginia Electric & Power Company Surry Power Station
