In the last few months, China has been showcasing its military advancements, including successfully testing an electromagnetic railgun. In fact, it did so after the U.S. halted a similar project, which Amerian researchers had been working on for over a decade and spent more than $500 million on.
Most recently, Chinese researchers have reportedly developed a method for using steel in the nose cone of a hypersonic missile, which the scientific community previously thought was nearly impossible. This breakthrough could lead to more cost-effective projectiles.
An Alternative to “Made in China and for China” Tungsten
Scientists consider tungsten alloys one of the most suitable alternatives for coating the hottest parts of hypersonic vehicles. The higher the speed, the higher the temperature that aircraft or missiles must withstand. Tungsten has a melting point of 6,191.6 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it special.
The problem? Tungsten is a rare, expensive, and heavy metal. Although Chinese companies control 85% of the world’s production of tungsten, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is considering cheaper and more viable alternatives.
According to a report from the South China Morning Post, a group of researchers at the Beijing Institute of Technology led by professor Huang Fenglei unveiled the design for a hypersonic glide anti-ship missile with a nose cone made of commercially available stainless steel.
Reaching this milestone was no easy task, given that a hypersonic missile can reach temperatures of more than 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit at certain points in its flight, while steel begins to deform at around 2,190 degrees Fahrenheit. Researchers say they have developed a thermal protection system to address this issue.
Specifically, the Chinese team says the solution is to apply a layer of ultra-high-temperature ceramic to the steel casing that will enhance the hypersonic missile’s capabilities. Beneath the first layer, they suggest adding a 5 mm layer of a thermal insulator known as aerogel. As a result, the highly effective structure could potentially be used in missiles designed to reach speeds of Mach 8 (around 6,090 mph).
It’s important to note that Huang is closely associated with China’s defense industry. According to the same South China Morning Post report, he’s the deputy research director of a classified military program, a technical advisor to the Central Military Commission, and the deputy head of a technical unit in the PLA’s Equipment Development Department.
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