Work Stream I: Materials
The Materials work stream in Mat4Rail covered the development of fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) and joints with suitable requirements for railway regarding FST, mechanical performance and cost, together with novel concepts for access door systems.
New materials for rolling stock
Work package 2 focused on novel resin development for further manufacturing of fiber reinforced composites (FRPs) which fulfilled the stringent requirements for the fabrication of carbody parts for the railway sector in terms of cost, mechanical, and FST (Fire, Smoke, and Toxicity) requirements.
Novel formulations of epoxy, benzoxazine and hybrid chemistry based resins were prepared and tested regarding FST properties. From these, 6 novel composites based on glass, basalt and carbon fibre reinforcements resulted compliant to EN45545-2 and a very detail testing campaign was performed on them, including fatigue testing.
Innovative seats
The work package super-light seat system offered a radical change of seating technology structures and seating flexibility, reducing seat weight by 60%. New structural and informal layout principles as well as a new way of manufacturing and material application were able to create this new standard. Reflecting consumer needs for comfort and privacy, the design solution and functional prototype developed within work package 7 proved this in a sustainable, circular-economic, flexible, and visually new manner.