Credit: portugaltrain.com
In the first of two articles, we look at how cork composite materials are being used to improve performance and efficiency in the rail industry.
The Alfa Pendular – Portugal’s high-speed train – is known for its speed and comfort, reaching up to 220 km/h (137 mph), it utilises tilting technology that allows it to navigate curves at higher speeds than traditional trains.
Recently the entire fleet of these Comboios de Portugal (Portuguese Rail) trains has been refurbished with cork composites from Amorim Cork Solutions. This is to increase passenger comfort, improve sound insulation and safety while reducing energy consumption by lowering the carriage weight.
Credit: amorimcorksolutions.com
Engineers are now using cork composites on rolling stock to enhance side walls, ceilings, doors and internal partitions as well as flooring and interior accessories. These materials provide excellent impact resistance and better acoustic and thermal insulation – all of which contribute to increased passenger comfort and safety.
For example, by using AluCORK® from Amorim Cork Solutions – amorimcorksolutions.com/en-us/knowledge-center/case-studies/alfa-pendular-cp/ – on this high-speed train, it was possible to improve sound insulation and at the same time reduce carriage weight by 40% less than using comparable alternatives. This composite material uses an innovative technique to combine agglomerate cork called CORECORK™ coated with aluminium alloy layers which can be produced in varying thicknesses to meet different requirements.
Warsaw: INSPIRO – the state-of-the-art Siemens metro – and one of the lightest in the world also uses cork composite materials
Credit: amorimcorksolutions.com
The forward-looking attitude of modern-day Warsaw is reflected in the striking modern design of its Metro. These Metro trains – the first complete vehicles from the Siemens Inspiro family – were delivered in 2014. A lightweight modern propulsion system helps to reduce energy consumption and combines with the environmentally friendly design.
Credit: amorimcorksolutions.com
The Inspiro is constructed using AluCORK® flooring from Amorim Cork Solutions, thus contributing remarkable weight savings compared to traditional rolling stock. The use of Cork also improves acoustics and thermal insulation as well as being a sustainable and recyclable product, which is perfect for a vehicle that is intended to be recycled after a useful life of 40 years.
Credit: amorimcorksolutions.com
The open, modern interior of the Warsaw metro – together with the unobstructed passageway throughout the train – significantly increases passengers’ sense of safety and comfort.
#CorkInnovation #CompositeMaterials #SustainableRail #RailTransportDesign
