Fabricability includes a host of characteristics such as formability, weldability, machinability, and so on. If fabricability issues are not dealt with during the first stage, it may cause problems at the later stages. In many cases, some parts of the nuclear power plant are to be built at the site (also called field fabrication) from smaller parts. If the materials do not have the requisite fabricability, it would not be possible to use the material no matter what fantastic properties it may have!

1.9.1.2 Dimensional Stability

The material should have adequate stability in properties. For example, many nuclear components would work at higher temperatures for extended period of time. So, the creep deformation (i. e., time-dependent plastic deformation) may cause dimensional stability problems.

One should also recognize that the microstructure of a material changes as a function of temperature, time, and stresses. So, the effects of these factors on microstructure and the consequent effects on the properties need to be taken into account carefully.