December 2019-Solvay announced that it has signed an agreement with Safran to provide Halar® ECTFE high-performance membranes for its LEAP engine acoustic panels. This film is made of plasma-treated Halar® ECTFE. It exhibits excellent adhesion on composite substrates and blends perfectly with surrounding substrates, giving the product an excellent appearance.
Solvay's high-performance Halar® ECTFE is a partially fluorinated semi-crystalline polymer used as a protective layer for engine sound insulation panels, allowing aircraft engine inlets to be protected from harsh environments. The material has high strength, good toughness, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, resistance to aircraft chemicals and working fluids, making it an ideal choice for aviation applications.
"Solvay is a long-term reliable partner of Safran, providing advanced composite solutions for our aircraft engine and cabin projects," said Thierry Haud, vice president of procurement at Safran: "This time Solvay ’s high-performance thermoplastic film The supply agreement will help to further expand and consolidate the cooperative relationship between our two parties and help us to continuously enrich the combination of advanced materials, technologies and processes. "
Solvay's Halar® ECTFE film can always maintain good performance in a wide temperature range, especially with excellent impact resistance at low temperatures. At the same time, the material's excellent resistance to corrosion and ultraviolet radiation makes it an excellent material for blocking water vapor, oxygen, and other small molecule gases. In addition, its light weight, durability and inherent flame retardancy all meet the stringent requirements of the aviation industry for flame retardancy and flame resistance.
"As a leading global supplier of high-performance thermoplastics and composite materials, Solvay is committed to supporting Safran in accelerating the design and application integration of the LEAP engine project." President of Solvay Specialty Polymers Global Business Unit Mike Finelli said: "Our rich and diverse material supply can help the grand LEAP engine project maintain the best performance and noise level during its life cycle.