Daegun Tech’s AM impeller completes 18 months in nuclear plant
Daegun Tech, a manufacturer of metal Additive Manufacturing machines and components based in Changwon, South Korea, has reported that an impeller it produced for Unit 1 of the Saeul Nuclear Power Plant has successfully completed eighteen months of operation.
Developed in collaboration with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and other South Korean companies, the multi-blade 316L stainless steel impeller was manufactured by Daegun Tech using one of its internally developed Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) AM machines.
The impeller is used in the cooling system for the plant’s generator circuit breaker. Unlike conventional designs, which comprise blades assembled onto a fixed plate with potentially vulnerable joints, the new impeller integrates the blades and plate into a single component.
Following heat treatment, mechanical property testing and airflow testing, the impeller was installed in January 2025 and reportedly operated without problems until scheduled preventive maintenance in July 2026.
The project used South Korean design, manufacturing and testing capabilities to replace previously imported components. KHNP now plans to expand the use of Additive Manufacturing to other nuclear power plants and is considering applications in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
“The future market for metal 3D printing lies in the integration and weight reduction of precision industrial parts, which are difficult to achieve with conventional manufacturing methods,” stated Ki Soo Shin, CEO of Daegun Tech. “Based on our track record in the nuclear power generation field, we will expand our application to high value-added industries that require high reliability, such as defence, aerospace, and energy.”
