Russia’s ‘super steel’ for nuclear reactors passes 400,000-hour test

Russia’s All-Russian Thermal Engineering Institute (VTI) has completed a landmark multi-year research project testing the long-term strength of EP302M-Sh steel pipes, a corrosion- and heat-resistant alloy critical for next-generation nuclear reactors. The testing spanned approximately 400,000 hours in total, with individual miniature pipe samples—only 18 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick—undergoing continuous stress and high temperatures for over 25,000 hours each. Due to the small size and complex geometry of the samples, VTI developed unique testing methods and specialized equipment to simulate extreme reactor conditions accurately. The resulting data provides a reliable scientific foundation and guaranteed design characteristics essential for engineering advanced nuclear power plants with enhanced safety and durability. This achievement marks a significant step in Russia’s nuclear energy development, as the validated material properties of EP302M-Sh steel are now being integrated into design blueprints for future reactors. The project complements parallel innovations in nuclear fuel technology, such as Rosatom’s new OS