In recent years, several hydro-power stations in the country including the Thaechon Power Station have increased the electric-power production by using the hydraulic turbine blade made of this stainless steel.

The durability of this turbine blade is more than 10 times that of the previous one.

Kim Hyok, director of the Ferrous Metal Research Institute under the State Academy of Sciences, told KCNA that the new stainless steel is suitable for making hydraulic turbine blade as it is highly resistant to cavitation erosion and abrasion and good for weldability.

Last year alone, the Kumya Hydraulic Generating Equipment Factory produced many turbine blades with newly-developed stainless steel to be supplied to 10-odd hydraulic power stations.