Nicalon shows high strength, high elasticity and heat resistance up to 1300 °C in an inert gas atmosphere. It is used as reinforcement for polymer and ceramic matrix composites. Hi-Nicalon has heat resistance up to 1700 °C in an inert gas atmosphere. It is expected to be used in the hot parts of gas turbines for power generation and the hot parts for space and aircraft.

The new joint venture, NGS Advanced Fibers, will be headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo with facilities in Toyama-shi, Toymama in Japan. Nippon Carbon Company will have a 50% share in the new joint venture and GE and Safran with a 25% share each. Closure of the joint venture is subject to regulatory approvals.

Silicon carbide continuous fiber, Nicalon, is a ceramic fiber developed, manufactured and marketed by our company, which combines lightness and strength with high thermal resistance even in air. Demand for aircraft engine components is set to increase ten-fold over the next decade, and we plan to meet this growth in the market for high-tech materials by establishing the joint venture.

—Shigeo Tajima, president of Nippon Carbon Co., Ltd.

Nicalon is important to the development of ceramic matrix composite materials (CMCs) for its next-generation of aircraft engines, said Sanjay Correa, vice president and general manager of CMC Programs at GE. CMCs offer reduced weight, enhanced performance and improved durability. GE is expanding the use of CMCs in its new engines under development, Correa said. The joint venture is intended to ensure a consistent supply of the material.

The three companies anticipate their demand for CMCs to increase tenfold over the next decade. The newest engine in development for CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between GE and Snecma (part of Safran group), is the LEAP engine for the next-generation of narrow-body aircraft, including the COMAC C919, Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX. The LEAP engine will incorporate CMC material in its engine components. More than 3,300 LEAP engines are on order for the three airframes. GE and Safran are continuing to investigate CMCs for additional engine applications.