From Powder Metallurgy to Nuclear Fusion: Tiangong Joins Joint Laboratory for High-End Fusion Metal Materials Research and Development
From Powder Metallurgy to Nuclear Fusion: Tiangong Joins Joint Laboratory for High-End Fusion Metal Materials Research and Development
On January 16, 2026, the 2026 Nuclear Fusion Energy Technology and Industry Conference was grandly held at the Hefei Fusion Reactor Park. With the theme "Converging Fusion Power · Creating the Future," the conference focused on original breakthroughs in fusion technology and its industrialization pathways. It systematically promoted the deep integration of the innovation chain, industrial chain, capital chain, and talent chain, accelerating the construction of a collaborative and mutually advancing innovation and industrial ecosystem for nuclear fusion energy.
Over 1,500 representatives attended the conference from national ministries, provincial and municipal governments, universities, research institutions, high-tech enterprises, financial institutions, and investment platforms. Several academicians delivered keynote and invited reports, systematically outlining the future evolution of fusion technology from the perspectives of scientific frontiers, engineering implementation, and industrial development. During the conference, multiple major procurement projects and joint fusion laboratory projects were signed, fully reflecting the accelerated transition of China's fusion sector from scientific exploration towards engineering and industrialization.
Tiangong Officially Joins the Joint Laboratory for High-End Fusion Metal Materials R&D
During the conference, Jiangsu Tiangong Aihe Technology Co., Ltd. signed the Joint Laboratory agreement, officially becoming a member unit of the 'Joint Laboratory for High-End Fusion Metal Materials Research and Development'. This marks a substantive step for Tiangong in the R&D and engineering validation of key fusion metal materials.
The Joint Laboratory is led by the "Energy Research Institute of Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center." It focuses on the needs of major magnetically confined fusion devices, systematically conducting fundamental research, key technology breakthroughs, and engineering validation for high-end metal materials used in fusion. It is dedicated to providing high-reliability materials and system solutions for national energy security and the development of future clean energy.
Focusing on Key Material Bottlenecks, Systematically Advancing Engineering Breakthroughs
Addressing the extreme service environment requirements of fusion reactors—such as "intense neutron irradiation, high thermal loads, and long-term stable operation"—the Joint Laboratory has identified two core R&D tasks for engineering application-oriented high-boron steel:
Development of 304B7 Large-Dimension Material
Achieve ton-scale manufacturing capability, focusing on overcoming engineering challenges related to composition uniformity, microstructure stability, and the synergy of strength and toughness in large-format materials to meet the stringent requirements for high reliability in key structural components of fusion devices.
Development of a New Neutron Shielding Steel with Boron Equivalent >3.2wt%
Addressing the integrated needs for neutron shielding and load-bearing in fusion reactors, systematically tackle the synergistic design of material strength, elongation, and service stability under high boron content conditions, providing an efficient and verifiable neutron shielding material solution for critical fusion components.
Collaborative Efforts to Accelerate Technology Transfer and Application
Within the framework of the Joint Laboratory, Tiangong will leverage its full-process manufacturing capabilities in powder metallurgy, high-alloy tool and die steel, and hot isostatic pressing. It will focus on core R&D tasks such as material design, smelting, atomization for powder production, hot isostatic pressing sintering, hot processing, and mechanical & microstructural property testing, promoting the advancement of materials from laboratory samples to engineering trial production.
The Energy Research Institute will focus on fusion reactor application scenarios, proposing material design and usage requirements, and conducting evaluations of material mechanical properties, microstructure, neutron shielding effectiveness, and service performance. Together, they will establish a closed-loop collaborative mechanism of "Material R&D --- Engineering Validation --- Application Feedback" to accelerate the transformation of scientific research achievements into practical device applications.
Contributing to the National Fusion Strategy with Material Strength
As the first Chinese enterprise to achieve mass production of powder metallurgy tool and die steel materials, Tiangong's entry into the Joint Laboratory for High-End Fusion Metal Materials R&D represents a significant practice for the company in deeply participating in major national fusion projects and strategically planning for future energy materials.
Looking ahead, Tiangong will continue to strengthen original technology breakthroughs, deepen collaboration with research institutions, and accelerate the transition of high-end fusion metal materials from technological breakthroughs to engineering validation and industrial application. It aims to provide verifiable, manufacturable, and applicable "Chinese Material Solutions" for China's nuclear fusion endeavors and clean energy development, continuously enhancing the voice and leadership of Chinese manufacturing in the global nuclear fusion materials arena.