Aircraft
More Details on 737 Max Materials Emerge
According to 737 Max program manager Keith Leverkuhn, a switch to using titanium to make the inner walls of the thrust reversers on Boeing’s new narrowbody has allowed for an increased fan diameter for the aircraft’s CFM Leap-1B engines, further improving projected thrust levels. (Photo: Gregory Polek)
According to 737 Max program manager Keith Leverkuhn, a switch to using titanium to make the inner walls of the thrust reversers on Boeing’s new narrowbody has allowed for an increased fan diameter for the aircraft’s CFM Leap-1B engines, further improving projected thrust levels. (Photo: Gregory Polek)

A switch from composite to titanium for the inner walls of the thrust reversers on the Boeing 737 Max has allowed designers to increase the fan diameter in the airplane’s CFM International Leap-1B turbofans without a proportional increase in the size of the nacelle. The relatively minimal growth of the nacelle means Boeing could keep its original plans for coping with the small amount of ground clearance margin available while optimizing thrust levels, explained 737 Max program vice president and general manager Keith Leverkuhn.