Chapter 21: New Alloy

The successful replication of one hundred thousand top-grade crystal cores was like a shot of adrenaline, injected into the entire scientific research system of Yanhuang Guo.

The subsequent packaging, testing, and distribution work proceeded in an orderly manner.

Qin Hao then obtained another brief period of rest.

However, this time he did not completely relax, but instead actively sought advice from Academician Qian Bowen and Academician Li, hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the specific projects in which these crystal cores would be applied,

and the bottlenecks currently faced by the state in other key material fields.

"Xiao Qin, it warms our hearts that you have this mindset; we old-timers are truly delighted."

In Academician Qian Bowen's office, he personally brewed a cup of tea for Qin Hao and said with a smile,

"The crystal core issue has been temporarily eased, but for Yanhuang Guo to truly stand tall, there are still many challenges to overcome."

"For example, in the aerospace field, high-performance alloy materials are one of our major shortcomings."

Academician Li added from the side:

"That's right! Take the next-generation 'Ascending Dragon' series fighter we are developing, for example—the requirements for the airframe structural materials are extremely high."

"They need to be light, yet strong enough, and able to withstand the high temperatures generated by air friction during supersonic flight, as well as the complex electromagnetic environment."

"Although our lab has also developed a new alloy, with all performance indicators being outstanding—even surpassing the currently disclosed top international levels—but…"

Academician Li sighed, a hint of helplessness appearing on his face:

"The production process for this new alloy is overly complex and cumbersome, with the requirements for smelting, processing, heat treatment, and every other step reaching an almost stringent level."

"A minor mistake could ruin an entire batch of material. Consequently, its production cost is frighteningly high, and more crucially, its output is extremely low, making it impossible to meet the large-scale deployment needs of our next-generation fighters and warships."

"Oh? A new alloy?"

Qin Hao's heart stirred, and he asked:

"What are the specific characteristics of this alloy? What exactly are the cost and output like?"

Academician Qian Bowen pulled up the relevant data and projected it onto the screen.

"Look, Xiao Qin."

Academician Qian Bowen pointed at the data on the screen,

"We call this alloy 'Meteorite'; its main component is titanium, with multiple rare metal elements added, using our independently developed ultra-high vacuum induction melting combined with directional solidification technology."

"Its density is nearly thirty percent lower than ordinary steel, yet its strength is more than three times that of high-strength steel."

"Its high-temperature resistance is particularly outstanding, able to maintain structural stability at 2000 °C, and even withstand temperatures above 2500 °C for short periods."

"At the same time, it possesses excellent corrosion resistance and outstanding metal fatigue resistance, making it very suitable for manufacturing critical components of aircraft engines,"

"the casings of hypersonic vehicles, and the load-bearing structures of new warships."

Qin Hao looked at the string of astonishing performance parameters, nodded, and thought this was indeed a good thing.

"As for the cost…"

Academician Li took over the conversation, giving a wry smile:

"Currently, the cost of our lab's small-batch trial production, when calculated, exceeds three hundred thousand Yanhuang currency per kilogram."

"This excludes R&D investment, counting only material and production costs. Moreover, with our existing equipment and technology, the annual output of qualified product is likely only a few hundred kilograms."

"Such output isn't even enough for a few critical components on a single fighter, let alone large-scale application."

"Three hundred thousand per kilogram is equivalent to over one hundred thousand per jin!"

"And the output is still this low!"

Qin Hao secretly clicked his tongue.

This is practically on par with gold, and moreover a strategic resource that money can't buy.

"Are you wanting me to mass-replicate this alloy material?" Qin Hao asked tentatively.

"That's the idea, but whether batch replication is possible depends on your system's energy consumption; if replicating one kilogram consumes more energy than we ourselves produce, then it wouldn't be worthwhile."

Academician Qian Bowen continued.

"If we could solve the mass-production problem of 'Meteorite alloy,' its significance for our nation's aerospace and defense industries would probably be no less than the breakthrough in crystal cores, right?"

Qin Hao couldn't help but ask:

"Not just no less!"

Academician Li slapped his thigh excitedly,

"If we could achieve low-cost, large-scale production, our 'Ascending Dragon' fighters could truly soar to the heavens, our next-generation 10,000-ton destroyers could cleave waves unhindered by any material limits—this would be revolutionary!"

Academician Qian also said at this point: "Xiao Qin, let's now see how much energy is needed to replicate it!"

"Good!" Qin Hao also did not hesitate.

Soon, a fist-sized sample of the 'Meteorite' alloy, gleaming with a gray-white metallic luster, was carefully delivered to Qin Hao.

This sample is the most perfect piece the lab can currently produce.

Its weight is exactly one kilogram.

Under the watchful eyes of the two, Qin Hao extended his right hand and lightly touched the cold alloy sample.

【Target item: Meteorite alloy, replication energy required 1000 points per jin】

【Proceed with replication?】

One thousand points of energy to replicate one jin!

Qin Hao's heart shuddered violently, yet he tried to keep his composure.

He moved his hand away without a change in expression and told the two: "According to the system display, replicating one jin of Meteorite alloy requires consuming one thousand points of energy."

"One thousand points of energy?"

Academician Qian Bowen repeated it, then quickly calculated in his mind.

"Based on the conversion of one kilowatt-hour to one point of energy, with industrial electricity at five fen per kilowatt-hour, one thousand points of energy equals one thousand kilowatt-hours, costing only five hundred Yanhuang currency!"

"Compared to the lab's own production cost of over one hundred thousand per jin, what a terrifying gap this is!"

"One thousand points?" Li Academician's voice trembled slightly; he grabbed Qian Bowen's arm and confirmed:

"Old Qian, I didn't mishear, did I? Is what Xiao Qin said really one thousand points?"

Qian Bowen also wore an expression of utter disbelief; he nodded vigorously, his Adam's apple rolling up and down a few times before he managed to say:

"No…… no, it's indeed this number!"

The whole office fell into silence for a moment.

The cost reduction brought by crystal element replication had already seemed unbelievable to them.

But crystal element, after all, is a high‑precision electronic product that inherently represents extremely high technological added value.

As for alloy material, although it also requires cutting‑edge craftsmanship, in traditional thinking its cost concept still differs from that of crystal element.

Now, a super alloy whose performance surpasses world‑top level has a replication cost that is actually cheaper than some ordinary special steels on the market!

This is no longer just overturning cognition; it's literally rubbing everyone's worldview in the dirt!

"Haha…… hahahaha!"

After a brief silence, Li Academician suddenly burst into a hearty laugh, laughing until tears almost came out,

"Five hundred yuan per catty of starfall alloy! Great! Excellent! As long as we have energy, we can have as much as we want!"

Qian Bowen also grew excited, his face flushing red as he paced back and forth, muttering:

"Unbelievable, simply unbelievable! Our materials science field will usher in an unprecedented revolution!"

After Lao Luo heard the report, although he too was shocked by the figure, he quickly calmed down and then personally called Qin Hao.

"Xiao Qin, first produce a small batch weighing one hundred catties, then have the Academy of Sciences immediately conduct full performance testing to ensure the replica's every parameter matches the original sample exactly."

"Good!" Qin Hao replied.

……