Chinese Scientists Create Perfect Tungsten Spheres in Space Microgravity, Setting New High-Temperature Record
Publication date:
2026-03-19
Author:
Source:
March 15, 2026 — Chinese researchers have achieved a major breakthrough in materials science by successfully melting tungsten alloy into perfectly spherical shapes in the microgravity environment of the Tiangong Space Station, setting a world record by heating the alloy to over 3100℃, according to a recent announcement from the country’s space agency. This achievement not only reveals new physical properties of tungsten but also paves the way for the development of high-performance materials for extreme environments such as rocket engines and nuclear fusion devices.
The key to forming the perfect tungsten spheres lies in the unique microgravity environment 400 kilometers above Earth, where gravity’s influence is greatly weakened. On the ground, gravity distorts molten metal droplets and causes component separation in tungsten alloys, preventing the formation of standard spheres. In space, however, surface tension— the cohesive force between liquid molecules—becomes the dominant factor, driving the molten tungsten alloy to shrink spontaneously into a sphere, the shape with the smallest surface area for a given volume, thus achieving the most stable energy state.
To ensure the purity of the experiment, scientists used the space station’s containerless material experiment cabinet, which employs electrostatic suspension technology to levitate tungsten alloy droplets in the air and heat them with lasers, achieving "contactless" melting and forming. This method eliminates interference from traditional containers that could contaminate the sample or alter its shape. "The perfectly spherical tungsten obtained in space has no shape errors, allowing us to accurately measure its key properties such as density and surface tension at extreme high temperatures," said a lead researcher from the project. "This data is crucial for designing new high-temperature-resistant materials."
Industry experts note that the high-uniformity tungsten spheres prepared in microgravity have broad application prospects. Unlike ground-manufactured spheres, which are difficult to achieve absolute sphericity, these space-made tungsten spheres can be used as ideal ball bearings due to their excellent wear resistance, potentially enhancing the performance of aerospace equipment and precision instruments. This breakthrough also marks a significant step forward in China’s space-based materials research, bridging the gap between basic physics research and industrial application.
On the previous page:
Latest information
Contact us
Phone:+86 133-9733-9096
Mailbox:13397339096@ojinxin.com
WhatsApp:+86 133-9733-9096
Address: Jiade Industrial Park, Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province, China
The inventory of anti-slip nails is in stock, along with the efficient development of diverse products and superior quality.
Navigation
Request a quote
Copyright © Zhuzhou Jinxin Cemented Carbide Group Co., Ltd
This site supports IPv4 and IPv6.
Powered bywww.300.cn Changsha