Hanwha and Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) establish the "Hanwha Materials Joint Research Center" to collaborate on the domestic production of aircraft engine materials

Hanwha Aerospace and the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) are establishing the "Hanwha Materials Joint Research Center" and embarking on the domestic production of core aircraft engine materials, which have been heavily reliant on overseas suppliers. Through joint research with KIMS, Korea's leading materials research institute, the company plans to proactively secure core technologies for advanced aircraft engines and manned and unmanned aircraft engine materials, a key government initiative.

The opening ceremony, held on the 22nd at KIMS's headquarters in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, was attended by approximately 100 industry, academia, and research representatives from the aircraft engine industry, including Yoon Sam-son, CTO of Hanwha Aerospace's Aviation Business Division, and Choi Cheol-jin, President of KIMS.

Hanwha Aerospace and KIMS plan to apply advanced technologies, such as nickel-titanium alloy casting and forging, and thermal barrier coating processes, to advanced aircraft engines and manned and unmanned aircraft engines, which are currently highly reliant on overseas suppliers. To this end, they will jointly utilize KIMS's advanced testing infrastructure, including ultra-high-temperature environmental testing, essential for aircraft engine material development.

With the launch of this research center, both parties plan to establish an integrated materials R&D platform spanning "R&D-Testing-Evaluation-Mass Production" and accelerate national technological sovereignty in aircraft engine materials.

A Hanwha Aerospace representative stated, "Leveraging Hanwha's comprehensive aircraft engine system capabilities, including materials, design, and processes, we will contribute to securing Korea's independent aircraft engine development capabilities, including the development of advanced aircraft engines through industry-academia-research collaboration."

Meanwhile, Hanwha Aerospace and the Korea Institute of Materials Science signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for aircraft engine material R&D and a technology transfer agreement for superheat-resistant alloys in October of last year. They have continued their collaboration in the development of aircraft engine materials, including a technology exchange meeting held in February of this year.