Chinese Engine Updates, News & Discussion

[Beijingwalker]

China's Huge Upgrade for Comac C919 NEW Engine will Change Everything​

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[Beijingwalker]

"Monster Alloy" Developed in China Remains Strong at 2,400°C... Metal Could Revolutionize Aerospace and Space Industries​

byLim Juhyeong
Updated 29 Jul.2026 14:44(KST)

Tantalum’s Heat Resistance Comes With a Trade-Off: Weakening at Extreme Temperatures​

A team of Chinese researchers has developed an alloy that maintains its strength even at extreme temperatures of up to 2,400 degrees Celsius, attracting significant attention. This technology has the potential to be applied to cutting-edge fields such as hypersonic aircraft, spacecraft, and next-generation nuclear reactors in the future.

The Hong Kong media outlet South China Morning Post (SCMP) recently reported that a research team from Xi'an Jiaotong University in China presented the results of their research on a new tantalum-based alloy in the international journal 'Nature.' Tantalum is a hard, silver-gray metal characterized by its high melting point and excellent electrical conductivity.


Parts made of tantalum. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. Screenshot from the Future Alloys website.

The research team created a new alloy using tantalum. Tantalum itself is already known as one of the most heat-resistant materials among existing metals, with a melting point of around 3,000 degrees Celsius. However, traditional alloys made from tantalum have had a limitation: their strength decreases significantly at extreme high temperatures, posing obstacles for industrial applications.

The research team resolved this strength issue by precisely controlling the microstructure inside the alloy. As a result, this alloy can now maintain a stable internal structure even under extremely high temperatures.

Materials that do not lose strength at ultra-high temperatures are essential for aircraft engines, spacecraft, rocket engines, and nuclear reactors. Turbine blades used in today's jet engines are made of nickel-based superalloys, but even these lose strength as temperatures approach 2,000 degrees Celsius. The technology for producing nickel-based superalloys is controlled by leading jet engine manufacturing countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. The new tantalum-based alloy is drawing attention for maintaining its strength even at temperatures as high as 2,400 degrees Celsius.

However, tantalum alloys have yet to demonstrate the same performance in real industrial conditions as they have in laboratory settings. The researchers plan to further verify whether the alloy continues to perform well through repeated heating and cooling experiments, as well as to test its resistance to oxidation and corrosion.

"Monster Alloy" Developed in China Remains Strong at 2,400°C... Metal Could Revolutionize Aerospace and Space Industries - The Asia Business Daily

A team of Chinese researchers has developed an alloy that maintains its strength even at extreme temperatures of up to 2,400 degrees Celsius, attracti

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[Beijingwalker]

Aircraft engine maker targets breakthroughs​

New models to help tap into general aviation market, low-altitude economy​

2026-03-09 09:13

Aero Engine Corp of China, the nation's leading maker of aircraft engines, will continue tapping the general aviation market this year, planning to advance certification and flight tests for several new products, according to a senior expert.

Shan Xiaoming, chief designer at the AECC Hunan Aviation Powerplant Research Institute in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, said the company aims to achieve new breakthroughs in the general aviation market in 2026.

"Two of our major models designed for the general aviation sector — the AEP100 turboprop engine and the AES20 turboshaft engine — have entered the airworthiness certification phase," Shan said. "We hope they can receive the type certificate from the civil aviation authority before the end of this year."

Meanwhile, several other new types, including turboprop, turboshaft and hybrid-electric motors, will conduct maiden flights this year and be displayed to the public at airshows, she told China Daily in an exclusive interview in Beijing.

Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), Shan said AECC will develop "high-quality, low-cost and comprehensively competitive" propulsion products for general aviation aircraft to meet the needs of the low-altitude economy.

"The company will speed up the promotion and application of mature engine types such as the WZ-16 and AES100, continue to lower product costs and develop new variants," she said.

AECC will also accelerate research and development of new models for green, unmanned and smart aircraft, while advancing the design and certification of hybrid-electric and all-electric propulsion systems. Shan said the company hopes these systems will enter the market by 2030.

Shan is a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress and is attending the annual plenary session of the country's top legislature.

General aviation refers to civil aviation operations other than scheduled air services. Common general aviation activities include pilot training, charter flights, sightseeing tours, air medical services, aerial mapping and surveying, maritime inspection and crop dusting.

Aircraft used for general aviation are typically small fixed-wing planes, lightweight helicopters and large drones.

Ten years ago, general aviation had already become one of the central government's priority industries.

In recent years, as the low-altitude economy has emerged as a highly anticipated new sector, general aviation has regained momentum. Local governments and companies across the country are racing to gain a foothold in the sector, generating strong demand for general aviation equipment.

To seize these opportunities, AECC has invested significant resources in developing engines for general aviation aircraft and has achieved solid results, Shan said.

In 2025, the company secured 91 firm orders for general aviation engines and delivered 177 units.

During a major industry expo in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, in November, AECC signed cooperation and order agreements with 17 customers, with a total contract value exceeding 1 billion yuan ($145 million), according to Shan.

Aircraft engine maker targets breakthroughs

Aero Engine Corp of China, the nation's leading maker of aircraft engines, will continue tapping the general aviation market this year, planning to advance certification and flight tests for several new products, according to a senior expert.

www.chinadaily.com.cn