China creates a material 10 times stronger than steel and can now manufacture it on a large scale

China has achieved a major technological breakthrough in advanced materials by mass-producing T1200 carbon fiber, a composite that is stronger than steel and has the potential to transform industries such as transportation and energy.

This milestone was announced by China National Building Material Group (CNBM), which has successfully moved the material from the laboratory to industrial-scale production of 100 tons per year. The development required more than two decades of continuous research.

One of its most notable properties is a tensile strength of 8 gigapascals. To demonstrate its capability, researchers created a cable made of 120,000 filaments, less than 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) thick, that can tow a bus carrying 54 passengers.

It weighs one quarter as much as steel

Another key advantage is its low density, as it weighs just one quarter as much as steel. This combination of lightness and strength makes it an ideal material for building structures where reducing weight is critical.

The manufacturing process involves a multi-stage heat treatment. It begins with oxidation at temperatures between 200 and 300 degrees Celsius (392 – 572 degrees Fahrenheit), followed by carbonization at around 2,000 degrees Celsius (3632 degrees Fahrenheit), which creates a strong and stable internal structure.

Chen Qiufeng, one of the project’s researchers, noted: “Mass production transforms this material from a laboratory curiosity into an accessible industrial resource.”

This new fiber will enable the development of more efficient electric vehicles, improve hydrogen storage, and support the expansion of technologies such as drones and air taxis. In addition, the breakthrough strengthens global competition in the field of high-performance carbon fiber.

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