Solvay supplies high-performance thermoplastic film to Safran

From left to right: Isabelle Lindemann, key account manager at Safran, Solvay Specialty Polymers global business unit; Thierry Haud, VP of Safran Purchasing, Safran; Sonia Bouquet, Composite Materials Purchasing Department, Safran; Dr. Alexander Vogel, head of Compounding at Solvay Specialty Polymers global business unit; and Etienne Collart, regional sales manager EMEA South, Aerospace Business Line, Solvay Composite Materials global business unit.

Solvay (Brussels, Belgium) has signed an agreement with Safran (Paris, France) to supply its Halar ECTFE high-performance thermoplastic film for its acoustic panels used on CFM International LEAP engines. According to Solvay, the films made from Halar ECTFE, with additional plasma treatment, offer excellent adhesion to composite substrates as well as superior aesthetics.

Solvay’s high-performance Halar ECTFE, a partially fluorinated semi-crystalline polymer, is used as a protective layer on the engine acoustic ring panel. It is reported to be strong and tough, with high resistance to erosion, abrasion, UV radiation and aircraft chemicals and fluids.

The lightweight, durable film is said to retain its properties over a broad range of temperatures, and displays high impact resistance even at low temperatures. It is said to be an ideal barrier against water vapor, oxygen and other small gas molecules, and meets stringent aerospace requirements regarding fire and burn-through resistance.

“Solvay is a longstanding and trusted partner of Safran, delivering advanced composite material solutions for both our aircraft engines and nacelle programs,” says Thierry Haud, VP of Safran Purchasing. “The supply agreement for Solvay’s high-performance thermoplastic film extends our mutual collaboration and further consolidates the relationship between us as we enlarge our cutting-edge portfolio of materials, techniques and processes.”

“As a world leader in high-performance thermoplastic and composite materials with a global operational infrastructure, Solvay is fully committed to supporting Safran as it ramps up the design and integration of applications for the LEAP engine program,” says Mike Finelli, president of Solvay’s Specialty Polymers global business unit. “The benefits of our broad material offering further helps the ambitious LEAP engine program to best maintain its performance and noise levels throughout the engine's life.”