The reactor is the heart of a nuclear power plant, and its equipment must operate flawlessly. The nuclear reactor equipment market focuses on the reactor pressure vessel (RPV), the core internals, the control rod drive mechanisms (CRDMs), and the in-core instrumentation. The nuclear reactor equipment market for "RPVs" is a heavy manufacturing sector, with only a few suppliers worldwide (e.g., Doosan, Mitsubishi, AREVA, Rosatom). The nuclear reactor equipment market for "forged" rings (for the RPV) requires massive presses.

The broader nuclear power plant equipment market includes this segment. The nuclear reactor equipment market for "RPV" materials are low-alloy steel with a stainless steel cladding (to resist corrosion). The nuclear reactor equipment market for "nozzles" (for inlet and outlet coolant pipes) are integrally forged. The nuclear reactor equipment market for "RPV" closures (heads) are sealed with studs and nuts, and are only opened during refueling (every 18-24 months).

The nuclear reactor equipment market for "core internals" include the core barrel (which supports the fuel), the upper internals (which guide control rods), and the lower internals (which support the core barrel). The nuclear reactor equipment market for "core" baffles and formers are used to direct coolant flow. The nuclear reactor equipment market for "fuel" assemblies (as covered) are purchased from fuel manufacturers (e.g., Westinghouse, Areva, TVEL).

The nuclear reactor equipment market for "control rods" are made of neutron-absorbing materials (silver-indium-cadmium for PWRs, boron carbide for BWRs). The nuclear reactor equipment market for "CRDMs" move the control rods. In PWRs, CRDMs are mounted on the reactor head. In BWRs, they are mounted on the bottom of the vessel.

The nuclear reactor equipment market for "in-core" neutron detectors (fission chambers) provide real-time power distribution data. The nuclear reactor equipment market for "ex-core" neutron detectors (ion chambers) are used for safety monitoring.

Looking ahead, the nuclear reactor equipment market for "advanced" reactors (SMRs, Generation IV) will require new designs. The nuclear reactor equipment market for "internals" for SMRs may be more integrated. The nuclear reactor equipment market for "accident-tolerant" fuel (ATF) will require new cladding materials (e.g., silicon carbide).

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