Chairholders
Profile
Eduardo Ruiz
Department of Mechanical Engineering
École Polytechnique de Montréal
Chair title
NSERC/Safran Industrial Research Chair on New 3D Composite Materials for the Aerospace Industry
Chair program
Industrial Research Chairs program
Role
Associate Chairholder since 2013
Summary
The aerospace industry has undergone major changes since the end of the 20th century. In recent years, all of the major commercial aircraft manufacturers have launched advanced research programs on high-performance composites. The École Polytechnique de Montréal (ÉPM) has a strong track record in this field, with over 20 years' experience in manufacturing composites by injecting polymer resins through fibre reinforcements. ÉPM is working closely with the Safran Group on forming structural components for the new LEAP-X turbofan engine, which is at the leading edge of aircraft technology, because it contains a high proportion of composites. In 2010, the Safran Group approved $6 million worth of funding over 10 years to establish two new industrial research chairs in advanced manufacturing of composites. These Chairs will accelerate research to perfect the new processes for manufacturing structural composites reinforced with 3D carbon-fibre fabrics. The proposed research program will seek to develop an understanding of the forming of this new family of composite materials by reinforced injection processes. The program will also seek to optimize the manufacturing of thick components by a new, patented process called Polyflex, and to develop an original new process for liquid molding of ceramic composites for warm and hot areas of turbofan engines up to 1 200 oC. This research will develop unique knowledge regarding microcharacterization of structural composites and forming of thick and large components for aerospace applications.
Partner
- Groupe Safran
Contact information
Department of Mechanical Engineering
École Polytechnique de Montréal
Box 6079 Succursale Centre-ville
Montréal, Québec
H3C 3A7
Tel.: 514-340-4711, ext. 4585
Fax: 514-340-5867
Email: edu.ruiz@polymtl.ca
Website:
http://cchp.meca.polymtl.ca/