China’s space experiments unlock game-changing alloy for hypersonic flight

"Three-year-long experiments conducted at China’s Tiangong space station
have yielded groundbreaking results which can boost the performance of
hypersonic missiles and vehicles.
Scientists have used this data to create a new material: niobium-silicon
alloy. Niobium is a rare metal primarily used in high-performance
steels.
This alloy can withstand extreme temperatures, making it ideal for
high-performance aircraft engines.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), turbofan engine blades
made from niobium-silicon alloy can endure extremely high temperatures
of over 3,092 degrees Fahrenheit (1,700 degrees Celsius).
Better strength and fast process
Niobium-silicon alloy is incredibly difficult to produce. Until now, the
niobium-silicon alloy faced two major challenges for mass production:
slow crystal growth and brittleness.
Forming the strong crystals often requires a long time – around 100
hours at nearly 2,912 degree Fahrenheit (1,600 degrees Celsius).
Moreover, the resulting material is highly brittle at room temperature, which makes it unsuitable for use in engine manufacturing.
The team led by Wei Bingbo, an academician of the Chinese Academy of
Sciences and professor with the Northwestern Polytechnical University,
has successfully overcome the challenges associated with niobium-silicon
alloy production."
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/china-develops-niobium-alloy-hypersonic-flight