COMPOSITE MATRIALS IN RAILWAY PROJECTS

«Russian railways» OJSC continues to implement products of ROSNANO portfolio companies and other Nano-manufacturers in the facilities of the railway infrastructure. The Nanotechnology Center for Composites is one of these companies. In 2013 the RR is planning a number of improvements, including the installation of railroad poles with the use of composite materials.

The use of composite reinforcement in the railroad poles instead of metal is primarily explained by its resistance to corrosion and adverse weather. Such poles do not require special maintenance; they are ecologically safe and durable. These factors are especially important considering the great length of the Russian railways, significant part of which goes through areas with extreme climatic conditions.

At the present moment railroad poles are manufactured by ROSNANO Project Company "Galen" and Nanotechnology Center for Composites, created with the participation of the Fund for Infrastructure and Educational Programs and the Holding Company "Composite". The first batch of polls with composite material reinforcement, manufactured by Nanotechnology Center for Composites, is already installed at the railroad haul of "Pavlovsky Posad-Electrogorsk", as well as at the Lyublino railway station. The polls, manufactured by "Galen" company, have been tested and are planned to be installed in the nearest future.

Another promising direction for the use of composite materials on the railroad is to produce a catenary element of the railway poll. Unlike traditional elements, the analogue made of composite materials does not require electrical insulation; it also simplifies installation and maintenance. In the first quarter of 2013, the tests of catenary elements of the railway poll manufactured by Nanotechnology Center for Composites and “Galen” company are expected to be completed".

Source: RUSNANO