Element Materials Technology has announced plans for a major expansion of its Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) testing capacity.
The company has significantly invested in doubling its CMC testing capacity at its laboratory in Cincinnati, setting the stage to continue its rapid development of newly emerging capabilities.
CMCs, which are capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 3,000°F and deliver unprecedented performance gains within aero engines, have been hailed as the future of the aerospace industry. The material is being utilised within the CFM International LEAP high-bypass turbofan engine, currently being developed in a joint venture between GE and Snecma, intended for use in the Airbus A320neo, the Boeing 737 MAX and China’s COMAC C919 aircraft by 2017.
Rick Sluiters, Element’s Executive Vice President, Aerospace, says:
Element recognised the potential of CMCs to transform the industry at an early stage of their development and has invested significantly alongside Prime customers to develop a market-leading testing capability.
Expansion work at Element Cincinnati began in June, with the company anticipating completion before the end of 2014.