China has developed a hypersonic missile with a tip made of stainless steel — something that for a long time was considered impossible due to the extreme heat generated at hypersonic speeds. Normally, materials like tungsten or advanced ceramics are used, capable of withstanding temperatures above 2,500 °C. Steel, on the other hand, melts near 1,200 °C.

According to the South China Morning Post, scientists from the Beijing Institute of Technology have discovered the solution: combining high-strength steel with ultra-resistant ceramic coatings and insulation layers, such as aerogel. This new thermal protection system prevents the metal from being exposed to the most intense heat, allowing the steel piece to withstand temperatures of up to 3,000 °F (about 1,650 °C) during a flight at Mach 8.

The innovation could drastically reduce the cost of hypersonic weapons, as stainless steel is much more abundant and cheaper than tungsten or exotic alloys.$BTC $ETH $BNB