China Achieves Breakthrough in Ultra-Thin Steel Production, Aiming for Tech Self-Sufficiency
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Chinese engineers have produced ultra-thin 0.015mm stainless steel sheets called "hand-torn steel", claiming it's the thinnest in the world. This breaks China's previous reliance on imports.
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High-end steel foil production used to be dominated by Japan, Germany and the US, but China has invested in innovation to become self-sufficient in under a decade.
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State-owned Taiyuan Iron and Steel Company (Tisco) was the first in China to produce 0.015mm foil in 2020. Now Tsingtuo Group claims the same achievement using only Chinese equipment.
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Ultra-thin steel foil is used in cutting-edge products like foldable phones, where it can increase durability. Tisco's exports rose 70% after they began mass production.
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Tisco says further reductions in foil thickness are possible. The material has applications in aerospace, chips, solar panels, and surgical equipment.