The problem of increased damage to delayed coking reactors (DCRs) or coke drums in domestic and foreign oil refining practice is still relevant. To date, significant progress has been made abroad in understanding the mechanisms of damage to DCR; numerous measures have been formulated, tested for widespread use, and have been used for a considerable time to improve the resistance to operational damage of DCRs. There is an urgent need to adapt and use positive foreign experience in the domestic practice of designing and operating DCRs, which will allow for a significant reduction in their damageability. Among the measures to increase the resistance to operational damage of DCRs, the most important place is occupied by the determination of technical requirements for their material design. The article compares the technical requirements for the material design of the DCR in domestic and foreign design practice, and analyzes the operating experience of the DCR with different material designs. Data on recorded damage obtained during the operation of DCRs is presented, data on the chemical composition and mechanical properties of the materials used in the manufacture of DCRs, the results of technical diagnostics of DCRs are provided with illustrative materials of damage zones of DCRs. A comparison is made in the level of resistance to operational damage of DCRs with different material designs. The results of previously performed studies on mathematical modeling of the stress-strain state of the elements of DCRs are used, with verification of strength conditions. Recommendations for the material implementation of DCRs are provided. Proposals for changes in the technical requirements for the material design of the DCRs are formulated in terms of mechanical characteristics (yield strength) in the delivered state.