Engines
New materials play key role in next-generation turbofans
Boeing Business Jets and Airbus Corporate Jetliners could benefit from new engine technology planned to enter service on the next-generation 737 and A320 a

Boeing Business Jets and Airbus Corporate Jetliners could benefit from new engine technology planned to enter service on the next-generation 737 and A320 airliners from which they are respectively derived. CFM International is working on an advanced turbofan, targeting a 16-percent cut in fuel burn that could bring greater efficiency to these and other new bizliners. New materials such as three-dimensional (3-D) woven and ceramic-matrix composites (CMC) are key to the new powerplant being developed by CFM partners Snecma (Booth No. 1143) and General Electric.

The LEAP-X program is focusing on a very high-bypass ratio and advanced materials, according to Snecma senior vice president for system engineering, research and technology Jacques Renvier. Both its bigger fan and hotter core engine need such materials.

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