The research work was conducted to reveal effect of nonmetallic inclusions, in particular borides, on quality and ductility of tube billets of high-chromium boron steel produced by different methods: plasma-arc melting, vacuum-induction melting and vacuum-induction melting followed by vacuum arc remelting. Higher quality and improved ductility were observed in the billets made by vacuum-induction method. Technological progress is accompanied by a constant growth of electric energy demand. Limitations in organic fuel reserve, overcoming the energy crisis and reasonable cost of electric energy production stipulate for using atomic energy. Development of nuclear power engineering, design and operation of nuclear power units of various types demand improvements in radiation resistance of structural materials. Spent nuclear fuel assemblies are kept in special cases made from hexagonal high-chromium boron stainless steel (04X14T3P1Φ) tubes. Billets produced by skew hot rolling are needed for producing hexagonal cold-rolled tubes. Alloying high-chromium steel with boron causes formation of the second phase - borides. The presence of borides and other non-metallic inclusions causes detrimental effect on technological properties of hot-rolled tubes [2]. The steel ductility is determined by character, shape, size and distribution of inclusions. Research of the influence of non-metallic inclusions, particularly borides, on the quality of the billets made of high-chromium 04X14T3P1Φ steel with increased content of boron using different melting methods has been conducted.
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