The Bombardier Transportation Class 379 Electrostar EMU Passenger Trains are operated by National Express on its Stansted Airport rail link.
UK company Ipeco Composites manufactured 960 standbacks for Bombardier Transportation, UK, using ACG’s MTM®82S-C phenolic prepreg. This prepreg meets the requirements of BS 6853 Cat.1a, the standard governing the fire performance of rail rolling stock.
All units passed Bombardier Transportation’s quality approval process. A key advantages of the prepreg parts is said to be their higher dimensional tolerances over parts made using wet lay-up processes. The autoclaved MTM82S-C standbacks were installed by Bombardier without rework, reducing onsite labour costs.
ACG reports that National Express will benefit from reduced operation and maintenance costs as a result of the reduced weight of the prepreg parts. At 6.4 kg per unit, the prepreg standbacks weigh approximately 40% less than a typical 10.5 kg wet lay-up structure.
Advanced Composites Group (ACG), headquartered in Heanor, UK, specialises in the manufacture of prepregs for components and tooling. It is part of Umeco plc.
