Innovation Award for Breakthrough Technology of G650 Rudder and Elevator
Florence, Ky., Kelsterbach, Germany - Fokker Aerostructures (NL), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (USA), KVE Composites Group (NL), TenCate Aerospace Composites (NL) and Ticona GmbH (GER) have won the prestigious JEC innovation award in the category Aeronautics, for the first welded thermoplastic composite rudder and elevator of the all new Gulfstream G650 tail section. The award will be officially presented to Fokker Aerostructures and partners during the opening ceremony of the JEC Composite Show in Paris on April 13.
The first of its kind in the aircraft industry, these inducted welded thermoplastic composite primary structures convinced the renowned international experts of the JEC jury of their true innovative character. The award is an excellent achievement and proves that close collaboration between OEM: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and supply chain: Fokker Aerostructures, KVE, TenCate Aerospace Composites and Ticona results in valuable innovations for the aerospace industry.
Fokker Aerostructures designed and developed the G650 tail section and industrialized a new induction welding method for the rudder and the elevator. With the welding technology developed by KVE Composites Group, components are joined into an inseparable unit by induction welding, eliminating costly drilling and riveting work. The thermoplastic material is Fortron® PPS, a high performance engineering polymer, developed by Ticona. TenCate Aerospace Composites produces the carbon/PPS semipreg and plate material used. Composites made from PPS composites remain hard, impact-resistant, stiff and dimensionally stable, even when exposed to elevated temperatures and aggressive fluids.
The increased use of thermoplastic composites in the aerospace industry is a trend, driven by weight reduction considerations, sustainable development considerations and the concern with materials recycling. With its inherent flame retardancy, the material also meets the high safety standards specified by the aircraft industry. Until recently a combination of thermoset and traditional aluminium was used for primary structures.
About Fokker Aerostructures
Fokker Aerostructures is a company of the Fokker Aerospace Group and internationally recognized as a prime specialist in lightweight aerostructures. Fokker Aerospace Group develops and produces aerostructures and wiring systems for the aerospace and defense industry and supplies integrated services and products to aircraft owners and operators.
About KVE Composites Group
KVE Composites Group designs and manufactures high-performance composites structures for demanding markets such as medical industry, defence industry, machine construction (f.e. fast pick and place robot in semiconductor industry) and aerospace (composites repair of aircraft components). The business is supported by a R&TD department, which developed the KVE Induct induction welded technology.
About TenCate Aerospace Composites
TenCate Aerospace Composites develops and produces composites for space and aerospace and industrial applications. TenCate Aerospace Composites has plants in Europe and North-America.
About Ticona and Celanese
Ticona, the technical polymers business of the Celanese Corporation, produces and markets a broad range of engineering polymers and generated sales of $808 million in the 2009 business year. The company has approximately 1,450 employees worldwide and operates production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany, Brazil and China. For further information please visit www.ticona.com.
As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE) makes products essential to everyday living. Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totaled $5.1 billion in 2009, with about 73% generated outside of North America. Known for operational excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 7,400 people worldwide. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.celanese.com.
Contacts:
Americas:
David Perilstein, Press Relations
+1-518-479-7632
Dperilst@nycap.rr.com
Americas:
Robert Shaw, Manager, B2B Marketing Communications
+1-859-372-3117
Robert.Shaw@Ticona.com
Europe:
Henning Küll, Public Relations Manager
+49-6107-772-1797
Henning.Kuell@Ticona.de
Asia:
Amber Zhao, Marketing Communications
+86-21-3861-9222
tong.zhao@ticona.com
