A material often called "black gold" is finer than a strand of hair yet stronger than steel, boasting a combination of low density, high strength, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature tolerance. This material is carbon fiber. On July 21st, as part of the 2026 "Vibrant China Research Tour" Jiangsu-themed reporting activity, a visit was made to the Yangtze River Delta Carbon Fiber and Composite Materials Technology Innovation Center located in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province. In the center's exhibition hall, the application scenarios for carbon fiber are already vast, spanning from aerospace to infrastructure and into everyday household items, presenting a dazzling array of uses.
"Despite its small size, it can withstand several tons of tension," said Xian Guijun, Chief Scientist for Thermoplastic Composites at the center, as he picked up a bridge cable made from carbon fiber composite rebar to demonstrate. "Using this material for stay cables can extend their service life from the current 20 to 25 years to over 100 years. Furthermore, the lighter material weight allows the span of cable-stayed bridges to be extended from two kilometers to five or even ten kilometers."
Established in 2022, the Yangtze River Delta Carbon Fiber and Composite Materials Technology Innovation Center focuses on the development of carbon fiber and composite materials in critical areas such as aerospace, civil engineering structures, and the "dual carbon" goals for sustainable development, which are vital to national security and people's livelihoods. Its key objectives include overcoming various core technologies related to advanced carbon fiber, high-performance and multifunctional composite materials, and equipment lightweighting. This work aims to address current technical challenges in China's carbon fiber and composite materials sector, supporting regional and national self-sufficiency in core materials and equipment, as well as the sustainable development of a circular economy.
From drones and flight helmets to engine housings, carbon fiber is equally indispensable in the aerospace field due to its light weight and high strength. A large rocket fuselage section in the center's exhibition hall can be lifted easily with one hand. Zhongjian Technology is a core supplier in China's high-end aerospace carbon fiber sector. Inside its production workshop, rows of white cylindrical objects are neatly arranged. "These are the precursor filaments for carbon fiber. Bundles of these filaments undergo processes like oxidation and high-temperature carbonization, eventually being wound onto spools as high-performance black carbon fiber," explained Li Hui, General Manager of Zhongjian Technology Co., Ltd.
What are the performance advantages of carbon fiber today, and in which fields is it primarily applied? In Li Hui's view, compared to traditional materials, carbon fiber excels in strength and mechanical properties. "Its strength is ten times that of steel, while its density is only a quarter of steel's. For applications in aircraft, missiles, rockets, and satellites, the weight reduction effect of carbon fiber is exceptional," Li Hui noted. Looking at civilian applications, carbon fiber is used in automobiles, wind turbines, ships, and other equipment. "Carbon fiber is a fundamental material with advantages like corrosion resistance and stable chemical properties. Many people call it the 'king of materials,'" he added.
The development journey of carbon fiber, from overcoming foreign technological restrictions to achieving parity and leadership, and from producing precursor filaments in factories to components that travel beyond Earth's atmosphere, mirrors the broader narrative of China's technological breakthroughs. Reflecting on the industry's path, Xian Guijun expressed heartfelt sentiment: "Carbon fiber is a strategic foundational material for the nation. In the early years, we faced foreign technological blockades and navigated an extraordinary and challenging journey of breakthroughs. Today, China's carbon fiber has achieved a dominant position in global applications."
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