China tests new flame-resistant material under 2,732°F welding torch

A PhD researcher at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Dr. Fang Tiancheng, has developed a new flame-resistant material capable of withstanding temperatures above 1,500 °C (2,732 °F), demonstrated by exposure to a welding torch flame. This temperature far exceeds that of most structural fires, suggesting significant potential to enhance protective gear for firefighters and other high-heat professions. Unlike current firefighter suits, which protect for about 18 seconds in flashover conditions before second-degree burns occur, this new material could extend survival time in engulfing flames to at least 30 minutes, marking a substantial improvement. While the exact composition of the material remains undisclosed, it likely draws on aerogel technologies and nanofiber composites, areas in which USTC has been a global leader. Aerogels are highly porous, lightweight materials with exceptional thermal insulation properties, previously used to reduce heat transfer in various applications. This new material’s enhanced thermal barrier represents a shift