United Wagon Company and Arconic Russia announced the certification of a new hopper car with a high-strength aluminium-alloy roof for grain transport. The use of aluminium increases carrying capacity of the hopper to 77 tons by reducing tare weight by more than one ton in comparison with fully-steel analogues currently used in Russia. Hopper capacity is increased to 120 cubic meters, providing efficient transport of lightweight grain products (meal, cake from pressed seeds, etc.) with full use of the 25-ton axle load.
The certificate for serial production of model 19-9549-02 hopper car was obtained in accordance with the technical regulations of the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union “On the safety of the rolling stock”.
Use of new material also improves the corrosion resistance of roof elements and loading hatches, and was approved by the Federal State Budgetary Enterprise Russian Scientific Research Institute of Railway Hygiene of Rospotrebnadzor as safe in case of contact with food products. The aluminium roof is attached to the steel body using BobTail® clamping bolts, manufactured by a one of Arconic’s divisions. The bolts are one-piece, mechanical fastenings, which, unlike traditional fastenings, are not weakened by high levels of vibration.
“We are bringing to market a new generation of railcars, which offer economic gains for all those involved in rail transport. The improved technical and economic characteristics of the cars make it possible to carry more cargo at a lower cost. This is achieved not only by optimizing the design and improving individual systems, but also by the use of modern materials, including aluminium alloy,” said Kirill Kyakk, CEO of the All-Union Research and Development Centre for Transportation Technology (part of RPC United Wagon Company).
United Wagon Company and Arconic Russia continue working together to create a new Russian rail tank car using aluminium.
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