Carbon fibre-intensive Cetrovo subway train launched in Qingdao
Cetrovo 1.0, China’s first carbon fibre subway train, has started carrying passengers in the port city of Qingdao in eastern China’s Shandong province.
This metro train features a carbon fibre composite body and frame, which reduces the weight of the car body and bogie frame by 25 percent and 50 percent, respectively, making the total vehicle weight 11 percent lighter compared with conventional trains.
Liu Jinzhu, chief designer of the train’s developer, CRRC Qingdao Sifang, said the energy consumption of each train can be reduced by 7 percent during operation, leading to an annual drop of about 130 tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions — which is roughly the same as planting 101 mu (around 6.7 hectares) of trees.
Notably, the use of carbon fibre materials also reinforces the vehicle’s body, boosts its impact resistance and extends the durability of its structure.
Smoother ride
The interior of this train’s cabin is rich in carbon fibre elements, ranging from sleek black carbon fibre seats and armrests to the driver’s console — all contributing to a futuristic, high-tech feel. Thanks to the use of carbon fibre composites, the vehicle also boasts enhanced vibration damping and sound isolation, ensuring a smoother ride and a more comfortable experience for passengers.
In addition, a digital twin-based intelligent maintenance platform, SmartCare, has been developed for the train. This platform enables smart fault detection, real-time health monitoring and maintenance optimisation — thereby reducing overall repair costs.
CRRC Sifang has teamed up with Qingdao Metro Group, Harbin FRP Institute, Weihai Guangwei Composite, AVIC Composite and other units to jointly tackle key technologies such as integrated design of large and complex main load-bearing structures of carbon fibre, efficient and low-cost molding and manufacturing, and all-round intelligent inspection and maintenance.
Harbin FRP Institute participated in the development and production of Cetrovo’s carbon fibre composite component bogie crossbeam; Guangwei Composite provided carbon fibre, fabric, prepreg and other material supports for the car; AVIC Composite assisted CRRC Sifang in conducting research on composite side wall materials, processes, and connection forms, and completed the design and optimised manufacturing of the main structure and connection structure.
Cover photo: Xinhua
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