Objectives
The objective of this project was to provide to the End User, that is the nuclear power plant BN-350 (Aktau, Kazakhstan), with several equipment for the metallurgic analysis, mainly devoted (but not limited) to destructive and non-destructive testing (NDT).
Project Description
Scope of the project
The scope of supply, as indicated in the Technical Specification of the original tender, was to provide specific equipment, consumables, spare parts, documentation and services.
The intended supply was divided into four lots:
Lot 1: Tensile Testing Equipment, including thermo-cabinet
Lot 2: Brittle Fracture Testing Equipment
Lot 3: Microscope
Lot 4: Additional Metallurgical Testing Equipment, comprising 5 sub-lots:

• Sub-lot 1: X-ray (1 unit plus 1 optional) related equipment and devices for results analysis and documentation, consumables and spare parts;
• Sub-lot 2: Ultrasound Defectoscope (1 unit)
• Sub-lot 3: Steeloscope (1 unit)
• Sub-lot 4: Vacuum camera for hermetic control (4 units plus 4 optional)
• Sub-lot 5: Special oven (1 unit)

Lots 1, 2 and 3 were contracted. The tender procedure for Lot 4 was not successful and this lot was finally cancelled.
This contract is only related to Lot 3 – Microscope.

Implementation of the project
The contract for Lot 3 was signed with Carl Zeiss on 16 December 2002. All equipment provided by the project was delivered, installed and commissioned. The equipment for Lot 3 was received in Aktau on June 18th, 2003, and Custom cleared after 40 days (due to documentation mistakes). Installation and commissioning were completed during the third quarter of 2003. The Provisional Acceptance Certificate was signed on 20 October 2003. The Final Acceptance Certificate was signed on 7 December 2004.