Aluminum Foam Leads to Lighter, Stronger Trains

Dec-13-14 Using an aluminum foam, engineers have developed ways to make high-speed trains lighter, stronger and better able to withstand impacts.

The aluminum foam material is made by sandwiching a low-density, spongy composite of magnesium, silicon, copper and aluminum between two 2mm thick layers of foam. The foam is 20 percent lighter than fiberglass, and the material has a very high impact resistance, particularly against the small items that often strike trains (such as bottles or stones). The relatively soft material also absorbs impact energy and helps to protect passengers inside the train from secondary impacts—such as hitting a seat back when the train moves unexpectedly.

The foam was invented in 1968, but recent advances in manufacturing have recently make shaping the material affordable.

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[WIRED.COM]
[IWU.FRAUNHOFER.DE]

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