Chinese Alloy Breakthrough Enables Domestic Superconducting Magnets as Tokamak Advances Toward First Fusion Power

Chinese Alloy Breakthrough Could Accelerate Fusion Progress

Researchers at the Institute of Metal Research in China have developed a purification method for Hastelloy C276 that removes the country's dependence on imported substrates used in superconducting tapes for fusion magnets. The team combined nearly two decades of expertise in ultra-pure metal production with an intense focused effort that yielded results in under two years.

Using the new process, the researchers manufactured metal strips more than 2,000 meters long with a thickness of just 0.046 millimeters. Surface roughness is reported to be under 20 nanometers, and when cooled in liquid nitrogen a thumbnail-sized sample of the material can support a load of 190 tons — an indication of its exceptional strength and uniformity.

Application to the BEST Tokamak

These substrate strips will be used in superconducting magnets for the Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak (BEST) under construction in Hefei. "The Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak is set for completion in 2027 and could become the first in human history to generate electricity from fusion," said Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry.

Why It Matters

Fusion produces energy by fusing atomic nuclei at temperatures above 100 million °C, the same process that powers the sun. If practical net energy gain and commercial operation are achieved, fusion could supply large amounts of low-carbon, reliable electricity from small amounts of fuel and with minimal air pollution.

Potential benefits: lower household energy costs, dependable baseload power independent of weather, and reduced air-pollution-related health impacts compared with fossil fuels.

Remaining Challenges

Despite promising materials advances and large international investments, fusion still faces significant technical hurdles. A working power plant must demonstrate net energy output, manage fuel cycles (including tritium), and address engineering challenges at scale. Fusion also produces some radioactive byproducts, though generally less long-lived waste than fission and without the same meltdown risk.

If BEST achieves viable power production when construction finishes in 2027, it could mark an important milestone toward bringing fusion electricity to homes and businesses. In the meantime, this alloy advance reduces supply-chain vulnerabilities and may accelerate magnet production for experimental reactors.