Chinese scientists have successfully developed the world's first ultra-high-strength low-temperature steel CHSN01 capable of withstanding the extreme environment of a nuclear fusion reactor. This breakthrough has been put into use in the construction of the world's first nuclear fusion power reactor, marking that China has taken a leading position in the field of materials science globally. This new material, known as "super steel," has solved a key technical bottleneck that has troubled the global scientific community for decades, clearing an important obstacle for humanity to master "artificial sun" technology.
Nuclear fusion is hailed as the ultimate solution for clean energy, but the biggest challenge in its technological implementation is not the fusion process itself, but finding materials that can withstand the extreme environment inside the reactor. In the core area of a nuclear fusion reactor, superconducting magnets need to operate at temperatures close to absolute zero while enduring significant magnetic stress. This combination of extreme cold and strong magnetic fields imposes requirements on material performance that are "almost impossible" to meet, until this major breakthrough by Chinese scientists.
Decade-long efforts to solve the global problem
Shi Huang Published: 8:00 pm, August 3, 2025 Updated: 12:28 pm, August 4, 2025
The development of CHSN01 was full of challenges and twists. In 2011, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project under construction in southern France faced a serious materials crisis. Tests showed that the low-temperature steel previously prepared became brittle in extremely cold environments, losing the necessary ductility, which almost undermined the technical foundation of the entire project.
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor is the largest nuclear fusion experiment project in the world, launched in 2006 by seven member countries including China. In this large international cooperation project, superconducting magnets are wrapped in low-temperature steel, forming a structure similar to armor, and must simultaneously withstand the extremely cold environment of liquid helium at minus 269 degrees Celsius and the enormous Lorentz force generated by the strong magnetic field.
Faced with a technical problem considered "absolutely impossible" to solve, the Chinese scientific team embarked on a ten-year effort. This process was filled with setbacks, doubts, and continuous technological breakthroughs, ultimately achieving a historic leap in the field of materials science.
Key innovations in technological breakthroughs
The successful development of CHSN01 steel represents a major advancement in materials science. Traditional steel often experiences brittle fracture at extremely low temperatures, due to changes in the internal atomic structure of the material. However, the requirements for materials in nuclear fusion reactors are even more stringent, requiring them not only to withstand extreme cold but also to maintain stable mechanical properties in a strong magnetic field environment.
Chinese scientists successfully developed this new type of steel with ultra-high strength and excellent low-temperature toughness through innovative alloy design and special heat treatment processes. CHSN01 not only maintains good mechanical properties at the extreme temperature of minus 269 degrees Celsius, but also has sufficient strength to resist the huge stresses produced inside the nuclear fusion reactor.
This technological breakthrough is significant not only for solving specific engineering problems, but also for opening up new directions in materials science. The successful development of CHSN01 proves that by precisely controlling the composition and optimizing the process, it is possible to create new materials with seemingly contradictory performance combinations.
A turning point in the global nuclear fusion competition
The successful application of CHSN01 marks an important turning point in the development of global nuclear fusion technology. Currently, major countries around the world are accelerating the industrialization of nuclear fusion technology. Private nuclear fusion companies in the United States, such as Commonwealth Fusion Systems and TAE Technologies, have already received billions of dollars in investment. The European Union's ITER project is expected to achieve its first plasma discharge in 2025, while China's EAST and CFETR projects are also progressing steadily.
In this intense technological competition, material technology is often the key factor determining success or failure. The successful development of CHSN01 has given China a significant advantage in nuclear fusion material technology, which not only helps advance China's own nuclear fusion projects, but also contributes key technologies to international cooperation projects.
An important advantage of China in the field of nuclear fusion is the complete industrial chain support. From basic material research and development to engineering manufacturing, China has established a relatively complete technical system. The successful application of CHSN01 further strengthens this advantage, laying the foundation for China to occupy an important position in the global nuclear fusion industrialization process.
The key support for the future of clean energy
Nuclear fusion technology is seen as the ultimate solution to global energy and climate crises. Unlike nuclear fission, nuclear fusion produces very little radioactive waste and poses no risk of nuclear leakage. Once commercialized, nuclear fusion will provide humanity with almost infinite clean energy.
However, the commercialization of nuclear fusion faces many technical challenges, and materials science is one of the most critical areas. In addition to superconducting magnet materials, nuclear fusion reactors also require materials facing plasma, structural materials, functional materials, and other special materials. The success of CHSN01 provides an important reference and technical basis for the development of these materials.
Currently, the global nuclear fusion industry is in a crucial stage of transitioning from the laboratory to commercialization. Several companies have announced that they will achieve commercial operation of nuclear fusion power generation in the 2030s. In this process, breakthroughs in material technology will play a decisive role.
The success of CHSN01 not only reflects China's scientific and technological strength, but also makes an important contribution to the global nuclear fusion cause. As this technology continues to be improved and applied, humanity is one step closer to realizing the dream of the "artificial sun." This groundbreaking achievement will accelerate the practical application of nuclear fusion technology and provide strong technological support for building a clean, safe, and sustainable energy system.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7534666295724491264/
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