In the field of thermostructural composite materials, technological innovation has been a key priority at Snecma Propulsion Solide for more than thirty years.Accordingly, the Research and Technology (R&T) programs dealing with thermostructural materials have been set up such that appropriate control of the risks associated with developing the technologies is balanced against the opportunity to achieve technological breakthroughs. In accordance with the overall R&T approach adopted within the SAFRAN Group, these programs are structured into three main phases: Research, Technological Demonstration and Product Demonstration. At process completion, the degree of technological maturity attained makes it possible to tackle the subsequent phases of product development and manufacture.
Snecma Propulsion Solide is the center of excellence for thermostructural composite materials for the SAFRAN Group.
In addition to the in-house skills developed by the materials development department, Snecma Propulsion Solide works with a network of external laboratories and scientific and technological partners, and predominantly the LCTS, Laboratory of Thermostructural Composites, set up in 1988. This laboratory is supported by a number of important French scientific organizations; the National Scientific Research Center (CNRS), the Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and Bordeaux 1 University. It also receives support from the Aquitaine Regional Council.