- Shanxi begins T1000 carbon fiber production, advancing national material capabilities.
- Project enhances supply chain security and overcomes foreign technology dependence.
- Lightweight, strong fiber benefits aerospace, defense, transport, and emerging industries.
A T1000 carbon fiber production line was initiated in Datong, Shanxi province, representing a significant advancement in the large-scale production of China's high-performance carbon fiber, frequently referred to as the "king of new materials". The demonstration line, capable of producing 200 metric tons annually, started construction in June 2024, facilitating local mass production of 12K small-tow T1000 carbon fiber.
It signifies the initial stage of a high-performance carbon fiber initiative managed by Shanxi Huayang Carbon Material Technology, a company collaboratively created by Huayang New Material Technology Group, the government of Datong city, and the Institute of Coal Chemistry affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
"The project breaks foreign technological monopolies and ensures the security and resilience of the national supply chain for critical materials," said Fang Yitian, director of the institute.
High-performance carbon fiber is a crucial focus for China's strategic emerging sectors and significantly contributes to high-tech advancements, advanced defense technologies, and the modernization of traditional industries globally. The T1000 carbon fiber generated by the project has a filament diameter of just 6 to 7 micrometers. Its density is just a quarter that of steel, but it is over five times stronger.
A 1-meter-long fiber has a weight of only 0.5 grams yet can support a weight of 200 kilograms. It withstands elevated temperatures and corrosion, stays chemically stable in both acidic and alkaline conditions, and possesses outstanding thermal and electrical conductivity.
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These benefits render the material highly applicable in national security, aerospace, rail transport, and the rapidly expanding low-altitude economy. Experts indicate that it is utilized in the blades of wind turbines and in sporting gear.
In 2008, Lyu and his team solved the problem of producing aerospace-grade T300 carbon fiber, positioning China as the third nation, following Japan and the United States, to manufacture this material. "Today, Shanxi has become a carbon fiber supply base that is usable, reliable and indispensable for high-end applications in China," he said.
Cao Rongxiang, deputy secretary-general of the Shanxi provincial government, said, "The project has not only achieved a breakthrough in core high-performance carbon fiber technology, but also filled an industrial gap in the province.