The Spanish-based AIMPLAS Plastics Technology Center recently announced its participation in the European MAT4RAIL project, which is designed to reduce the weight of locomotives by replacing fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) with metal structural components, while increasing vehicle capacity and intelligent modular design through indoor spaces. Passenger comfort.
Beginning in October 2017, the project has developed new epoxy resin formulations and improved flame retardant properties for use in FRPs. The MAT4RAIL program will last two years and will be coordinated by CIDETEC (Spain).
With the implementation of the project, rail infrastructure is expected to improve in terms of cost, functionality, dependencies and timeliness, capacity and energy efficiency improvements, and reductions in life cycle costs: innovative materials and modules for railway rolling stock will be developed Design, the weight loss of the train is achieved by replacing the metal parts with FRP with mechanical properties and fire performance.
In addition, the project has involved 15 research institutes, SMEs, large companies and a university from seven European countries and received funding from Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking (S2R JU). The S2R JU is the EU Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program. One of the partners.