Engines
GE Finalizes New Composite for 9X Fan Blades
The use of fewer, lighter fan blades will reduce engine weight, contributing to reduced fuel burn.
The fan blades for GE Aviation's new GE9X engine for the Boeing 777X twin jet use a lighter and more advanced composite material. [Photo: GE Aviation]
The fan blades for GE Aviation's new GE9X engine for the Boeing 777X twin jet use a lighter and more advanced composite material. [Photo: GE Aviation]

The engineering team for GE Aviation’s new GE9X turbofan has completed development of the new carbon fiber composite material that will allow the powerplant for Boeing’s new 777X airliner to use fewer, thinner fan blades. Combined with the use of new composite case technology developed for the GEnx program, the engine will be around 1,000 pounds lighter than its predecessor.