A case study on end-to-end management and manufacturing of a cast austenitic stainless steel pump for nuclear application

This thesis presents a case study on the production and quality assurance of a nuclear-grade pump made of cast austenitic stainless steel, carried out at SAFAS, an Italian foundry specialized in high-performance steel castings. The project covered the entire manufacturing process—from order analysis to casting and final inspection—with a focus on quality control according to RCC-M standards (chemical analysis, mechanical tests, and non-destructive examinations). The study also highlights the importance of integrated process management, documentation traceability, and coordination among departments and suppliers. The work demonstrates that combining technical rigor with organizational efficiency is essential to ensure reliability and regulatory compliance in the production of safety-critical nuclear components.