With the inauguration of a coating furnace for aluminium protective layers for low-pressure turbine blades, Airfoil Services Sdn. Bdh. (ASSB) has expanded its services significantly. It is also a visible step in the company’s approach of introducing new products to the market. The Malaysia-based Lufthansa Technik subsidiary specializes in repairing engine turbine blades.

The newly installed furnace, that runs with both argon and hydrogen, allows the coating of low-pressure turbine blades of CF6, V2500 and CFM56 engines. In the coating furnace, the respective engine components are heated up to 1,160 degrees Centigrade. In the upcoming 12 months the coating furnace will be used increasingly.

Airfoil Services, a joint venture of Lufthansa Technik AG and MTU Aero Engines, is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since April 2003, Lufthansa Technik and MTU each hold a 50 percent share in Airfoil Services which has originally been founded in 1991 as a joint venture between Malaysia Airlines and MTU. The company concentrates on repairing low-pressure turbine blades of CF6-50, CF6-80, CFM-56-3, CFM-56-5 and V2500 aero engines. It also overhauls the compressor blades of V2500 and CF6 engines. Altogether ASSB employs 110 staff.

While ASSB performs work for both mother companies, it also serves customers throughout the Asian market. The Malaysian facility is part of MTU’s worldwide network as well as Lufthansa Technik’s EPAR business unit (Engine Parts & Accessories Repairs) which offers comprehensive services for engine parts repair.