Carbon fiber is a modern high-performance material that is widely used in fields that require components that are mechanically strong yet lightweight, such as aerospace and automotive industries, as well as wind energy technologies and modern sports equipment. However, due to their high cost, Become an obstacle for many manufacturers.
Because thousands of tons of carbon fiber 'garbage' is simply landfilled each year, it causes enormous waste of resources and the environment. Therefore, the use of new carbon fiber recycling technology to obtain recycled carbon fiber not only retains its original value, but also It also enables them to be re-applied. Therefore, regenerating carbon fiber is more cost-effective.
Research progress in the railway field
The research project on reclaimed carbon fiber in rail vehicles originated from a vehicle dynamics competition initiated by the British Railway Safety and Standards Committee (RSSB). ELG's leading lightweight carbon fiber rail vehicle bogie frame project Winning, RSSB has thus subsidized ELG 1.25 million pounds for the design and manufacture of prototype bogies for regenerating carbon fiber materials for rail passenger vehicles.
ELG is an expert in reclaimed carbon fiber products. The company has a complete set of efficient development methods for recovering carbon fiber from manufacturing scraps and terminal parts. Its research team in the reclaimed carbon fiber rail vehicle bogie project includes the Railway Research Center at the University of Huddersfield, UK. Stone Corporation and the Joint Institute of Sensors and Compliance Materials Research Center, University of Birmingham.
▲ Recycled carbon fiber bogie at Research Center
Currently, recycled carbon fiber bogies are undergoing full testing at the Railway Research Center at the University of Huddersfield in the UK. This kind of train bogie made of recycled carbon fiber is used. 50% less weight than conventional bogies, This shows that it will decrease in track wear, energy consumption, and maintenance costs, which will save operators a lot of costs.
The chief engineer in charge of the testing phase stated that: This is the first time to use recycled fiber to make bogie frame. The stiffness of the bogie will be tested in the following. The dynamic test will be completed on the rolling test stand of the research center.
Carbon fiber 3D printing
Currently, the Huddersfield University Railway Research Center is conducting research on carbon fiber materials and bogie manufacturing processes. The center has received approximately £300,000 in funding for the development of lighter, more reliable, more comfortable and less noisy locomotive vehicles.
The research project is part of the European Union’s RUN2RAIL project. RUN2RAIL is the general term for the new project and is part of the Shift2Rail project of the European Union's comprehensive railway project. The total funding is 2.732 million euros. The project contains a total of four research topics, and is led by the leading European engineering companies. University sharing.
Experts at the University of Huddersfield Railway Research Center stated that a key advantage of carbon fiber composites is that they can be printed in almost any shape or structure. The research center decided to explore the application of carbon fiber composites and 3D printing technology to use robotic additive manufacturing systems. Build a bogie frame for the train.
The research center stated that as 3D printing technology becomes more sophisticated, metal 3D printing will also be explored for the production of new rail vehicle components, such as axle boxes and brake brackets. With the continuous development of technology, the application of train manufacturing will become More feasible.
Although an engineering company has produced a bogie using a carbon fiber spring device, traditional steel frames will still be used to make train wheels. An expert from the Railway Research Center at Huddersfield University said, 'We are already considering alternative materials for hubs or Axle, but is currently under study. '
The RUN2RAIL project is expected to be completed in August 2019, and the project is seeking to use new materials and new technologies to improve rail transport, so that the 'lighter, more reliable, more comfortable and quieter' research objectives of railway vehicles can be achieved. What is the result? Let's wait and see!