Rolls-Royce plans to open a new facility to make composite fan blades and fan cases for jet engines.
According to the company, using composites can significantly reduce weight in a jet engine, lowering fuel consumption and emissions.
The carbon fiber fan blades and fan cases are part of the Rolls-Royce UltraFan engine demonstrator, a new engine design which can reduce fuel burn and CO2 by at least 25% compared to the first Trent engine, the company said. A Rolls-Royce fan system made with carbon fiber composites can also save almost 700kg per aircraft, the equivalent of seven passengers and their luggage.
The fan blades are made by manufacturing techniques that build up layers of carbon fiber materials, pre-filled with resin material. Heat and pressure are then applied, and each blade is finished with a thin titanium leading edge, which offers erosion resistance, Rolls-Royce says.
The new facility will reportedly use low energy and emissions processes and feature automated manufacturing methods and materials. Rolls-Royce adds that has pledged to achieve zero emissions at its operations and facilities by 2030.
This story is reprinted from material from Rolls-Royce, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
