Materials accord targets passenger train interiors

GE Advanced Materials has signed a joint development agreement with China Railway Long Dragon New Composite Materials to develop components for passenger train interiors.

GE Advanced Materials has signed a joint development agreement with China Railway Long Dragon New Composite Materials to codevelop high-strength, flame-retardant (FR) components for passenger train interiors based on new Azdel Rail-Lite composite.

The new composite can also help provide interior parts with low smoke and toxicity performance and excellent sound-release properties.

Under the agreement, GE will supply the material in multiple grades for potential applications such as interior panels, sidewalls, ceilings, floors and other large interior train parts.

The agreement marks a significant strategic relationship between GE and China Railway Long Dragon.

The Chinese company is the biggest original equipment supplier for all new passenger rail car interiors being developed to support China in refurbishing interior trim components used on its national railway system in advance of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

China Railway Long Dragon is the undisputed leader of the country's railway interiors industry with products that span the country's 14 railway administrations.

"The excellent mechanical properties and flame, smoke, toxicity, and heat-release performance of lightweight Azdel Rail-Lite composite is our high-performance solution to the infrastructure challenges that China Railway Long Dragon is trying to address", said Melanie Cook, GE Advanced Materials' Marketing Director for Transportation.

"This agreement is a great example of how GE technology can help China improve the safety and efficiency of its rail transportation system".

The new Azdel Rail-Lite composite is a low-pressure, thermoformable, lightweight sheet composed of long glass fibres.

The material has been developed to help enable sturdy, lightweight components, panels, and structures that exhibit excellent flame, smoke, toxicity, and heat and sound-release performance.

"China Railway Long Dragon is delighted to have GE's advanced material expertise and resources on this project", said Chen Yue, President of China Railway Long Dragon.

"We fully anticipate the unique properties of Azdel Rail-Lite composite to drive significant growth, infrastructure expansion, energy conservation, and passenger safety benefits for our products".

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