GE Aviation opens unique composites facility in Asheville, NC

GE Aviation, a global leader in jet engine and aircraft system production, hosted a grand opening ceremony at the site of its new advanced composites factory near Asheville in Western North Carolina. The new 170,000-ft² facility will be the first in the world to mass produce engine components made of advanced ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials. GE has begun hiring at the new CMC components plant. Within five years, the workforce at the plant is expected to grow to more than 340 people. The existing workforce at GE Aviation’s current machining operation in Asheville will gradually transition to the CMC components plant. The introduction of CMC components into the hot section of GE jet engines represents a significant technology breakthrough for GE and the jet propulsion industry. CMCs are made of silicon carbide ceramic fibers and ceramic resin, manufactured through a highly sophisticated process and further enhanced with proprietary coatings. GE plans to introduce more CMC components into future engine development programs. The specific CMC component to be built in the new Asheville facility is a high-pressure turbine shroud. More importantly, this CMC component will be on the best-selling LEAP jet engine, being developed by CFM International, a joint company of GE and Snecma (SAFRAN) of France and will mark the first time CMCs are used for a commercial application. The LEAP engine, which will enter airline service in 2016, will power the new Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX and COMAC (China) C919 aircraft.