We don’t seem to be hearing as much of the “China just steals our technology” talk as we did a few years ago. Not only does it appear that China is ahead in cryogenic steel—a field it may have just established—but fusion as well. From Tyler Durden at zerohedge.com:
China has developed a breakthrough material, CHSN01 (China high-strength low-temperature steel No 1), capable of withstanding extreme cold and massive magnetic forces, and deployed it this year in the world’s first fusion nuclear power generation reactor, according to SCMP.
The steel puts China at the forefront of materials science and could have applications beyond fusion.
The ultra-strong cryogenic steel meets the demands of superconducting magnets operating near absolute zero and in magnetic fields of up to 20 Tesla. It can endure stresses of 1,300MPa and has superior fatigue resistance to traditional alloys. “In addition to its applications in superconductivity, this steel can also be used in other related areas,” said Zhao Zhongxian, a top Chinese physicist.
Development began after a 2011 setback at the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France, where cryogenic steel turned brittle under testing.
China’s team, led by Li Laifeng of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, spent over a decade refining the material—starting with nitrogen-enhanced stainless steel, then incorporating vanadium and controlling carbon/nitrogen ratios.
But muh tariffs?
And Russia has new wunderwaffen that can withstand Mach heat, wonder what it is made of?
Hmm so hmm.
Marshal Chuikov smiles.