Role of Polymer Composites in Railway Sector: An Overview

Abstract

The composite materials, which have a high strength-to-weight ratio, are preferred for designing complex and light structures in various industries. Especially in the railway sector, the composites with lightweight property and flexibility in designs cause an increment in fuel efficiency and cost-effectiveness on overall rail vehicle developments. The fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites meet the above requirements and are used in the production of rail components, such as bogie frames, floor materials, sleepers, switches, crossings, and other internal parts. These FRPs are good replacements for existing metal-based components interns of durability, high stiffness, and corrosion resistance. This review gives an overview of polymer composite's role in the railway sector for various applications and outlines the previous research works done on railway vehicles using FRP composites. This review will be beneficial for researchers to overcome all challenges in the railway sector and promotes new developments.