Aerospace company Safran, 3D printing company Oerlikon, the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), and the University of Limoges, plan to open a joint research laboratory, called Protheis, and a technology platform, Safir, to focus on thermal spray surface treatments for aerospace applications. Oerlikon will supply its materials, surface engineering and industrialized equipment to the lab.
Plans are for the two entities to help Safran improve its surface treatment capabilities and make lighter and longer-lasting products capable of reducing noise and nitrogen oxide emissions. This in turn will make parts that are compliant with REACH legislation. The organizations also plan to develop a numerical simulation of processes.
The CNRS and the University of Limoges also operate a joint research unit called IRCER with the aim of fostering scientific and technical discussions on surface treatments.
Surface solutions
'We are excited to enter into this strategic partnership with Safran, CNRS and The University of Limoges,' said Oerlikon CEO, Dr Roland Fischer. 'We are a strong believer in the value of partnerships that bridge business, R&D and education. By combining our advanced R&D expertise in functional coatings, surface solutions and additive manufacturing with Safran’s R&D roadmap, we will help make aerospace more efficient, safer, quieter and faster.’
'The planned creation of a joint Safran/Oerlikon/CNRS/University of Limoges research lab specializing in thermal spray coating technologies is the culmination of a long-standing partnership that started over 15 years ago with a number of research contracts and doctoral theses,' said Jean-Luc Moullet, chief technology transfer officer at the CNRS.
This story uses material from Oerlikon, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
