On August 25th， according to Fast Technology， the Containerless Materials Experiment Cabinet aboard China’s space station has successfully heated tungsten alloy to over 3100℃， setting a new world record. This experimental achievement has surpassed the previous highest heating temperature record in international space materials science experiments.
The experiment was led by a research team from the School of Physics Science and Technology at Northwestern Polytechnical University. In the microgravity environment of the space station， the team utilized the Containerless Materials Experiment Cabinet and electrostatic fields to enable the experimental material to break free from gravitational constraints and stably levitate within the experimental chamber. The microgravity environment facilitates a more spherical shape and ideal oscillation for the liquid sample compared to ground-based experiments， thus creating superior conditions for obtaining precise physical and chemical property data. This advancement is crucial for understanding and developing high-performance alloys.
To achieve the ultra-high temperature heating of high-melting-point tungsten alloy， the experiment cabinet is equipped with a powerful dual-wavelength laser system. A semiconductor laser targets the material’s surface， while a carbon dioxide laser penetrates its interior. These lasers jointly deliver a high power output of 300 watts， melting the material into a suspended liquid droplet. The synergistic application of these lasers is a testament to the sophisticated engineering required for extreme temperature material processing in space.
China’s successful breakthrough to temperatures exceeding 3100℃ on the space station will provide crucial theoretical foundations for the design and performance enhancement of new tungsten alloys. Tungsten alloys are known for their exceptional strength， high melting point， and wear resistance， making them indispensable in various high-tech applications， including aerospace， cutting tools， and high-temperature furnace components. Achieving such high temperatures in a controlled manner opens new avenues for alloying， potentially leading to materials with even greater capabilities to withstand extreme conditions found in advanced engineering fields.
