The Future of Composite Materials in Rail Infrastructures








Growing population and expanding urbanization worldwide require more sustainable mobility solutions to tackle global resource scarcity and climate change.

As one of the most sustainable transportation modes, rail-based transport systems are taking an ever-increasing share of the mobility demand. According to the International Transport Forum (ITF) Transport Outlook 2019, the global passenger transport demand will more than double, and freight transport is expected to triple in the next 30 years.

Growing Passenger Demand Requires Advanced Rail Infrastructure


Composite materials are already playing an increasingly important role within the transport industries due to their lightweight nature, durability, and low environmental footprint. Composites offer significant improvements over traditional materials and provide innovative and sustainable solutions for various critical infrastructure projects.

Many countries, either with well-established or rapidly growing rail networks, are exploring modern composite materials that can lead to the wide-scale infrastructure improvements necessary in the rail industry.

The benefits of using composites in the rail industry to reduce the infrastructure lifecycle costs can be substantial, considering that the US rail network consists of nearly 140,000 miles of track and more than 100,000 bridges, all requiring continuous upgrade and repair. Network Rail in the UK conducts more than 10,000 annual inspections of the timber, concrete, and steel structures critical for the integrity and reliability of the rail transport system in the country.
Innovative Composite Footbridge as a Technology Showcase

A prototype composite footbridge named “Futura”, designed by Marks Barfield Architects (London, UK) and COWI (an engineering consultancy group based in Lyngby, Denmark) is being developed. It will demonstrate the benefits that could be gained by using lightweight and durable composite materials for both new-build and replacement structures in rail infrastructure.

High-Performance Composite Materials Enable Cost-Effective Rail Infrastructure


The prefabricated large-scale parts will be molded from fiber-reinforced plastics (FRPs). FRP is a composite material consisting of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers. The fibers can be made of glass or carbon, and in some cases, paper or wood fibers can be used in biodegradable composites. The polymer matrix in the modern composite materials is usually an epoxy, vinylester, or polyester thermosetting plastic. FRPs are extensively used in the aerospace, automotive, marine, and construction industries.

The main advantages of using FRP composites in rail infrastructure arise from the material's high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios, compared to conventional construction materials such as steel and reinforced concrete, resulting in lightweight final structures.

FRPs have excellent corrosion and weather resistance, making them suitable for long-lasting structures with reduced maintenance. NCC's latest technology and know-how enable cost-effectively fabricated FRP components that comply with stringent fire, smoke, and toxicity standards for a wide variety of rail infrastructure applications.




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