New Breakthrough in Carbon Fiber Application of Sinopec

October 11, 2023

Carbon fiber independently developed and produced by Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical has been successfully applied to the "Bay Area Blue" high-speed train of Guangzhou Metro Line 18. Operation data shows that the performance of the train hood made of carbon fiber composite material fully meets the operating conditions. Compared with aluminum alloy materials of the same module, it can reduce weight by up to 35% -40%, effectively assisting in weight reduction and speed increase of the train.

Sinopec has also put on a carbon fiber "coat" for the "flying" of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics torch, marking the first time in the world that carbon fiber composite materials have been used to make the Olympic torch shell. This solves the technical problem of high temperature resistance during hydrogen fuel combustion, making it "light, solid, and beautiful". It can be used normally in hydrogen combustion environments above 800 degrees Celsius, compared to the cold metal torch shell, Flying "makes the torchbearer feel warmer and helps with the" Green Olympics ".

Carbon fiber composite material Olympic torch shell

Guangzhou Metro Line 18 is known as the fastest subway in the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, with a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour. The "Bay Area Blue" train, which serves as the operational task, is the first subway train in China to use lightweight and high-strength carbon fiber composite material as the head cover. Since 2019, Sinopec and CRRC have carried out collaborative innovation, tackling key core technologies for the large-scale application of carbon fiber composite materials in the field of rail transit, establishing a complete technology research and development system, and forming a world leading "one-stop" lightweight technology solution, ultimately achieving the successful application of carbon fiber composite materials on the "Bay Area Blue" train.