ML20196C816
| ML20196C816 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/08/1987 |
| From: | Conway J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| REF-QA-99902003 NUDOCS 8802160244 | |
| Download: ML20196C816 (2) | |
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UNITED STATES
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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
+....f December 8, 1987 Docket No. 99902003/87-01 yEIORANDUMFOR:
Docket File No. 99902003 THROUGH:
Edward T. Baker, Acting Chief Program Development and Reactive Inspection Section Vendor Inspection Branch FROM:
James T. Conway Program Development and Reactive Inspection Section Vendor Inspection Branch
SUBJECT:
INSPECTION OF CLARK BROTHERS BOLT COMPANY On October 27, 1987, James T. Conway, lead inspector from the Vendor Inspection Branch (VIB), was accompanied by Robert G. Marsh, 01 Region V in the inspection of Clark Brothers Bolt Company (CBBC) in Milldale, Connecticut.
Over the past year, a number of VIB procurement inspections included the collec-tion and testing of a small sample of fasteners (i.e., bolts, studs nuts). This limited program was initiated in response to a concern by the Industrial fastener Instutute (IFI) over the potential use of inferior fasteners in military and industrial applications, including nuclear pcwer plants.
Testing results showed that approximately 33 percent of the fasteners did not meet the specification requirements for mechanical and/or chemical properties. Two of the safety-related bolts from Rancho Seco which failed were identified as ASTM A193 Grade B7 material which were hot forged and had a manufacturers mark of "CB."
According to the IFI, a head marking of "CB" would suggest that the bolts were manufactured by CBBC. The purpose of the inspection was to determine if the substandard /
counterfeit bolts were indeed manufactured by CBBC and to review all pertinent records pertaining to nuclear orders that may have been filled by CBBC.
In April 1987, a decision was made by the stockholders of CBBC to liquidate all assets of the company. With only a skeleton staff remaining, the NRC inspectors had conversations with the previous President, the current President, and the Plant Engineer. The reasons given for liquidation were no capital improvement in the past 15 years, foreign competition, and several stock holders wanted to get out of the business. The last shipment was made in August 1987. The facility and all the equipment are being sold, and the inventory of standard fasteners was purchased by Eastern Fasteners.
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er e, M Docket File No. 99902003 It was noted that CBBC did not work to a documented QA program or manual but did have a Standards Manual which consisted of typed and handwritten notes dated 1958 through 1978 on various subjects such as heat treating, special products, identification markings, etc.
The NRC inspector reviewed a file of drawings for customers and a card index containing approximately 610 customers.
This review showed no indication of nuclear customers which agreed with the statements made by the two Presidents that to the best of their knowledge, CBBC had never done any nuclear, 00D, or aircraft business.
A tour of the facility with the Plant Engineer indicated that CBBC produced fasteners by cold forming / heading. Hot forging was never used by CBBC.
Secondary operations included stamping, trimming, roll and cut threading, milling, grooving, piercing, and heat treating. The Plant Engineer indicated that written procedures /
instructions did not exist, but activities were performed to work orders (i.e.,
travelers) and informal verbal directions. A review of some standard fasteners in stock identified a "triangle" marking which is for a Canadian company known as Infasco. The Plant Engineer said that a number of small standard fasteners had been made by foreign manufacturers, but each fastener contained the appropriate manufacturer's marking. He was not aware of any ASTM A193 Grade B7 bolts being manufactured over the past 14 years.
It was noted that limitations on the equipment for the production of hex head bolts (i.e., cap screws) was 5/8 in diameter for carbon steel and 1/2 in, diameter for alloy steel.
In addition, the length of a 5/8 in, cap screw was limited to five inches in the largest upsetting machine. The limitations for threads were 5/8 in, for rolling and 1/2 in, for cutting. A number of die punches were inspected, and each one contained a distinct small "CB" in the 4
center of the die.
It was determined that the two 1 in. x 12 in. long bolts which had "B7" and "CB" markings were not fabricated by CBBC as a result of discussions with CBBC management and an evaluation of the entire manufacturing process utilized by CBBC, i.e., cold forming / heading vs. hot forging, the size and characteristics of the identification markings on the bolts, and the limitation on the size and length of bolts that could be cold headed and threaded in the upsetting and threading machines.
In addition, it was learned from discussions with the two presidents that only a small number (approximately 10 percent) of fastener manufacturers belong to the IFI.
In other words, there is really no control in the fastener industry as to the use and correct identity of markings on fasteners,
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