France establishes joint fire resistance research lab for aircraft safety
Iain Hoey
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Safran collaborates with French institutions on fire resistance research
Safran Group has announced the launch of a joint research laboratory in France focused on fire resistance in aerospace engineering.
According to Safran, the new facility – called Flames (Fire Laboratory for Assembly, Metal and Composite Engineering & Safety) – is a partnership between Safran Nacelles, the Insa Rouen Normandie, the University of Rouen Normandie and the CNRS.
The four-year initiative aims to support future developments in aircraft nacelle design by improving knowledge in fire resistance and related safety technologies.
Laboratory supports development of future nacelle systems
Safran stated that the research carried out at Flames will feed into the early stages of nacelle system development.
It explained that the programme is designed to anticipate changes in regulatory and technical requirements, with the findings intended to enhance fire protection measures in aircraft design.
Safran Nacelles, which leads the nacelle design and integration activities within the Safran Group, will use results from the Flames laboratory to inform its upcoming engineering work.
Research hosted in specialist university laboratories
The Flames laboratory is based within two facilities – the Materials Physics Group (GPM) and the Interprofessional Research Complex in Aerothermochemistry (Coria) – which operate under joint supervision by CNRS, the University of Rouen Normandie and Insa Rouen Normandie.
The laboratory is equipped to carry out full test campaigns using representative samples and will support the development of simulation models and optimised physical testing processes.
Fabienne Lacorre, Technical Director at Safran Nacelles, said: “This partnership with the Insa Rouen Normandie will enable us to work on complex problems, combining Safran Nacelles’ technical and industrial expertise with the academic excellence of the teams at the GPM and Coria laboratories.
“Flames strengthens our ability to innovate and meet tomorrow’s technical challenges.”
Collaboration includes engineers and researchers
The Flames team includes engineers from Safran Nacelles, researchers from CNRS, and teacher-researchers from the Insa Rouen Normandie and the University of Rouen Normandie.
Safran confirmed that Insa Rouen Normandie will also recruit one engineer and one teacher-researcher to enhance the team’s capabilities.
Mourad Boukhalfa, Director of the Insa Rouen Normandie, said:
“We are delighted that the work carried out in simulation and experimentation on combustion in turbojet engines has been extended to new areas, in particular the behaviour of innovative materials subjected to extreme thermal conditions in the aeronautical industry.
“This collaboration involves two research laboratories of excellence, Coria and the GPM, both co-founders of the Labex EMC3 and the Institut Carnot ESP, alongside Safran Nacelles, a leading industrial player.”
France establishes joint fire resistance research lab for aircraft safety: Summary
Safran Group has launched a fire resistance research laboratory in France.
The project is a partnership with the Insa Rouen Normandie, the University of Rouen Normandie and the CNRS.
The laboratory is named Flames, standing for Fire Laboratory for Assembly, Metal and Composite Engineering & Safety.
It will run for four years.
The aim is to improve fire resistance understanding for aircraft nacelle development.
The research will support early-stage aerospace engineering and regulation compliance.
Flames is based at GPM and Coria, two laboratories under CNRS and local university supervision.
Testing capabilities will enable physical and simulated fire resistance assessments.
Safran Nacelles engineers will work alongside university researchers.
Two new staff will be hired by Insa Rouen Normandie to expand the team.
Findings will feed directly into future Safran Nacelles designs.
The programme contributes to aerospace fire safety research in France.