(Yicai Global) March 12 -- The Institute of Metal Research under the Chinese Academy of Sciences has rolled out the world's largest non-welded stainless steel ring forging, developed through its own metal-forming technology.

It has a diameter of 15.6 meters and weighs 150 tons, both being the world's largest, China News Service reported today, citing the institute. It achieved the hierarchical construction of a 100-ton metal billet for the first time.

The giant ring will be use at China's fourth-generation nuclear power plants, and will effectively guarantee the implementation of major equipment in the country's nuclear industry.

As the core component of the nuclear power unit, the support ring is the pressure vessel's boundary and safety barrier and serves as the backbone of the entire reactor, supporting 7,000 tons of weight. Such massive forgings are normally made by welding multi-segment small billets, a long and costly process that also poses a risk to the plant's operation due to the weak material structure of the welded position.

Many academicians regard the new technology as a revolutionary innovation in large component manufacturing. It has been used in hydropower, wind power, nuclear power and other fields. It will promote the rapid development of China's high-grade equipment and guarantee its independence over core materials in major equipment.