Chinese scientists have created a metal capable of withstanding the conditions of nuclear fusion and used it for the first time in a functioning thermonuclear reactor. The new alloy is self-explanatory: China High-Strength Cryogenic Steel No. 1 (CHSN01). It simultaneously withstands ultra-low temperatures and powerful magnetic forces, properties previously considered incompatible.
The "heart" of a fusion reactor is believed to be a superconducting magnet, operating at temperatures near absolute zero and under immense magnetic pressure.
Many materials would become brittle and lose strength under these conditions, rendering them unusable. However, CHSN01 has demonstrated its ability to withstand temperatures of -269°C (liquid helium temperature) and the immense Lorentz forces generated within the reactor.
The story of success began with failure: As early as 2011, the international ITER project faced a problem. The cryogenic steel used at the time could not withstand the tests and became brittle. Since its launch in 2006, China, a member of ITER, has been searching for a solution—and after nearly 20 years of development, it has succeeded.
