Flames, a new research laboratory dedicated to fire resistance

The aim of this four-year partnership is to anticipate regulatory and technological developments in the field of fire resistance, a critical issue in the design of aircraft nacelles.

It marks the start of an upstream research programme, the results of which should eventually feed into all future developments at Safran Nacelles, the division of the aerospace equipment group that designs and integrates aircraft nacelles.

From research to industry

Located within the Materials Physics Group and the Interprofessional Research Complex in Aerothermochemistry, two laboratories under the joint supervision of CNRS, the University of Rouen Normandie and Insa Rouen Normandie, the Flames laboratory has advanced testing and analysis facilities for carrying out test campaigns on representative samples. Its work will enable simulation models to be developed and physical tests to be optimised.

“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 ,’ says Fabienne Lacorre, Technical Director of Safran Nacelles.

Flames relies on a team of around ten people, including engineers from Safran Nacelles, teacher-researchers from the Insa Rouen Normandie and the University of Rouen Normandie, and researchers from the CNRS. An engineer and a teacher-researcher will also be recruited by Insa Rouen Normandie to strengthen the laboratory’s capabilities.

“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 “, explains Mourad Boukhalfa, Director of the Insa Rouen Normandie.