RM Rail starts assembly of a new model aluminum hopper car

RM Rail, a leading manufacturer of freight rolling stock in Russia, has started assembling an aluminum alloy mineral hopper model 19-1299.

The car is intended for transportation of various cargoes, including mineral fertilizers, it can be designed for grain and other bulk cargoes.

The design provides for the use of an innovative 25 tf axle load bogie.

Unlike the previous generation model, this hopper has half a ton lower tare weight and increased carrying capacity (79 tons). Body volume is 111 cubic meters. This was achieved through the use of a new aluminum alloy 1581 alloyed with scandium.

Alloy 1581 is a proprietary design of the national material scientists, which was inspired by space. It was during the exploration of outer space in Russia that scandium-containing Al alloys were first used. The alloy features high strength and weldability. These properties ensured creation of a strong and lightweight structure using modern friction stir welding technology. That said, due to optimal scandium content, the cost of semi-finished products does not differ much from that of conventional aluminum alloy products.