On September 10, the world’s first lightweight carbon fiber composite heavy-duty freight train, jointly developed by CHN Energy Railway Equipment Company, National Institute of Clean-and-low-carbon Energy, and CRRC Qiqihar Company, rolled off the assembly line in Qiqihar.

The project team successfully developed advanced carbon fiber-reinforced resin matrix composites for the production of heavy-duty freight trains, overcoming key technical challenges such as the integrated manufacturing of large composite components. This is the first time globally that such new materials have been applied to the main load-bearing structure of heavy-duty freight trains. Compared to aluminum alloys, the carbon fiber composite material’s strength and modulus are 3-5 times and 1.5-1.8 times higher, respectively, so that it can better meet the lightweight and large-component production requirements of heavy-duty freight trains. This technology offers advantages such as lighter weight, higher energy efficiency, greater strength, and enhanced environmental adaptability.

The body of this type of railway freight trains is more than 20% lighter than those using aluminum alloys, with a weight coefficient as low as 0.22, the highest level for domestic co-axle heavy-duty freight trains. Besides, the technology helps reduce the trains’ weight while increasing their load capacity.

This type of freight trains also incorporates several newly optimized components, including improved K6-type bogies, integrated air brake systems, high-strength heavy-duty couplers, and self-dumping bottom door mechanisms. Additionally, an onboard intelligent monitoring system tailored for heavy-duty freight trains was independently developed, integrating modern information technologies such as IoT, big data, and cloud computing. This technological innovation empowers the green, low-carbon, and intelligent development of heavy-duty railway equipment.