The French Safran Group recently signed an agreement to adopt advanced resin composite materials on LEAP aircraft engines. CFM International, a joint venture between Safran and GE, specializes in the manufacture of air engines for Airbus, Boeing and COMAC projects. .
According to the agreement, composite technology will be used to manufacture key structural components of the engine, including fan blades, fan casings, acoustic panels and packing grooves. The composite material was developed and produced by Solvay. Solvay is in Germany in 2016. A state-of-the-art resin plant in Stirling, which mainly serves the LEAP aero engine program. Some materials will be produced by Solvay from Osterling, Germany, and Solvay is also investing in and supporting the LEAP program.
Thierry, vice president of materials procurement at Safran Group, said: 'Solvay has been a long-term trusted supplier to Safran, providing advanced composite materials in multiple engine and cabin programs. The agreement emphasizes not only continuing to strengthen the collaborative LEAP program, It will also strengthen another larger portfolio of links between the two groups. Carmelo, president of Solvay Composites Global Business Unit, said: 'Safran's composite technology, expertise and safe supply chain will Continue to support Safran to produce this highly innovative aero engine in the next few years. The LEAP engine is designed to take advantage of composite materials to reduce fuel consumption, CO emissions, noise and maintenance costs.
The resin composite material has light weight, and the specific strength is based on the development of aerodynamic design, structural design and composite technology. The composite fan blade can be further improved, and the specific stiffness is large, which can replace the traditional titanium alloy and other materials applied to the aeroengine. High aircraft thrust-to-weight ratio and fuel efficiency, reducing noise and harmful emissions, increasing comfort and economy. Composite materials can reduce fan and engine quality, improve specific stiffness, fatigue performance, damage and defect tolerance. Advanced composite materials are the only way to achieve higher bypass ratios and weight reduction at the same time, which also provides an opportunity for composite materials to be widely used in aeroengines.