Reliability of liquid-metal fast breeder reactor steam generators is of greater importance than that of fossil-fired boilers. Aside from reduced plant availability, the consequences of failures experienced in sodium-heated steam generators result in expensive recovery operations. If realistic and cost-effective measures are taken, fabrication procedures can be upgraded to offer greater service reliability without substantial increases in fabrication costs. These measures must be instituted during the planning stages and must continue through the fabrication, testing, installation, plant startup, and operation phases. To achieve high reliability for the Clinch River Breeder Reactor steam generators, materials were upgraded through melt refining control, as well as through the use of more demanding, precise process inspection standards. Costs for upgrading the quality resulted in tangible benefits experienced throughout the fabrication campaign, including a demonstrated resistance to caustic stress corrosion cracking of the tube-to-tubesheet welds. Considered were weld acceptance criteria, methods of inspection, post-weld heat treatment, and testing of pre-production welds. The results obtained help establish verification of potentially higher component quality than can be obtained from normal industry practice.