Rail Transport

Rail Brochure

Link to: Product Data Catalogue

Contact: ACG Rail Transport Market Sector Manager - Richard Horn
e-mail: rhorn @ acg.co.uk

News Archives	2009
Rail Transport

Composites . . . Safe, Easy to Use, Consistent Results, Cleaner and Cost-Effective

Compared to other manufacturing methods such as wet lay-up and SMC, prepregs offer the possibility to manufacture thinner and hence much lighter sections yet retaining the same mechanical performance. This offers a significant reduction in weight and by using less material makes the prepreg route extremely cost-effective.

Interior Applications . . .

• Wall Panels and Window Frames
• Partitions and Connecting Archways
• Floors, Ceilings and Decking
• Bulkheads and Stand Backs
• Luggage Racks and Compartments
• Furnishings and Seating
• Hatches and Doors

Exterior Applications . . .

• Driver’s Cab
• Energy Absorbers
• Doors and Inspection Covers
• Bogie Debris Protection Plates
• Tunnel Reinforcement Props and Panels
• Fishplates *
• Bogie Leaf Springs *

Focus on MTM®82S-C Phenolic Prepreg

With outstanding fire performance, ACG’s MTM®82S-C is a high performance phenolic resin system which is available as a prepreg on a wide range of carbon and glass fibre materials.

Developed specifically for industrial, construction and mass transit applications, MTM82S-C is halogen-free and offers good mechanical properties in combination with outstanding fire performance. MTM82S-C laminates exhibit extremely low fire propagation and surface spread of flames together with low smoke and toxic gas emission.

MTM82S-C meets the requirements of . . .

• BS 476 Part 6
• BS 476 Part 7
• BS 6853 Cat 1a
• NF P 92-501 Rating M1
• NF F 16-101 Rating F1
• DIN5510 Rating S4, SR2, ST2
  

The Composite Advantage for Train, Tram and Light Rail Applications

Design
Composites offer engineers and designers a new freedom to design aesthetically pleasing and highly functional structures not previously possible with traditional materials. Train interiors can be designed to be attractive and spacious offering the traveller the maximum comfort, exteriors can incorporate aerodynamic profiles reducing drag and improving efficiency.

Low Weight
MTM82S-C glass composites have a specific gravity of 1.4, which is approximately half that of aluminium (2.7) and over a fifth of that of mild steel (7.8). This weight saving enables trains to reach higher speeds with reduced power consumption with lower acceleration inertia. Lower weight also means less loading on the rail track reducing the cost of trackside maintenance.

Performance
Composites offer high specific stiffness and strength; they are extremely strong and durable with outstanding fatigue, environmental, corrosion and impact resistance. Fibre orientation can be aligned with the direction of principle stresses and they offer a very low coefficient of thermal expansion and improved vibration damping properties.

MTM82S-C Features . . .

• Available on a broad range of fabrics including S-Glass, E-Glass, carbon and aramid fibres.
• Suitable for vacuum bag, autoclave, and press mould processing.
• Wide processing window 125 to 155°C (257 to 310°F).
• 30 day out life at 21°C.
• 12 month shelf life at -18°C (0°F).
• Service temperature up to 80°C (175°F).
• Suitable for monolithic and sandwich structures.
• Good surface finish.

High Performance Structural Applications . . .

In addition to MTM82S-C phenolic prepregs, ACG also offers a complete range of epoxy and flame-retarded epoxy resin systems for use in areas requiring the highest mechanical performance. Typical applications include: bogie leaf springs, fishplates and specific structural load bearing elements, etc.

The Prepreg Advantage . . .

A prepreg consists of a reinforcement material (glass, carbon, etc) pre-impregnated at a predetermined and controlled level with a resin matrix.

A prepreg is a fully compounded, reactive system requiring no handling or mixing of potentially dangerous chemicals; simply take the prepreg from the bag and use it.

Prepregs are supplied with a controlled level of tack.Plies can be easily and accurately positioned on the mould to give a high level of fibre orientation control without the risk of movement, fibre washout or the development of resin rich areas during subsequent processing, all of which can lead to loss of performance.

Prepregs Offer . . .

• Simplified storage and health and safety issues.
• No resin mixing or manual impregnation.
• Low cost tooling options.
• Reduced labour content.
• Rapid and accurate controlled lay-up, optimising and maximising final component properties.
• High fibre volume.
• Reproducible quality with uniform resin content throughout the part.
• Weight saving.
• No dry fibre fraying during cutting.
  

ACG Offers . . .

Research and Development Facilities

• Complete composite materials test capability - (including mechanical testing, DSC, DMTA, TMA, Rheology, FTIR, HPLC, Dilatometry, Image analysis).
• Dedicated test house - ACG Technical Centre.
• Vacuum, press and autoclave moulding.
• CNC machining, 5-axis 3.5m x 2.5m x 1.5m bed integrated with CAD/CMM.
• Finite element analysis (FEA) mechanical database preparation.
• Prototype / concept part manufacture and testing.

Technical Support

• Assistance with data generation, reduction, test plan and specification preparation plus other airworthiness related tasks.
• Dedicated customer support team - on site support and demonstration.
• Composite design engineering/manufacturing approved to ISO AS9100.
• Rapid response to all telephone enquiries.
  

Sub-contract Loan of Labour

• Experienced engineers, laminators and fitters are available to assist customers during peak manufacturing periods (subject to availability).

Link to: Product Data Catalogue