Chinese scientists have developed a unique steel alloy capable of withstanding extreme loads inside fusion reactors. The CHSN01 material is intended for lining superconducting magnets, the key components of devices that confine plasma at temperatures of tens of millions of degrees.
The new material retains its strength at temperatures close to absolute zero (–272°C) and is resistant to magnetic fields of up to 20 tesla. The Chinese team from the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences worked on the new solution for 12 years, together with scientific centers and industrial enterprises. The result exceeded expectations: CHSN01 can withstand loads twice as high as those of the alloys in use today.
Already, 500 tons of this material have been ordered for the Chinese tokamak Burning Plasma, which is scheduled to start in 2027. This facility is expected to replace outdated reactors and take fusion energy to a new level of safety and efficiency.
