Exel Composites has recently released a whitepaper exploring the potential of pultruded composite materials in the transportation sector. This document focuses on the benefits of lightweight, corrosion-resistant materials for buses and coaches, emphasising the advantages of continuous manufacturing techniques for composite profiles. The whitepaper also features a case study involving the use of Exel Composites’ fibreglass profiles by the Chinese manufacturer Yutong in their buses in Finland.
The whitepaper addresses several pressing challenges currently faced by transportation manufacturers. Rapid urbanisation has significantly increased the demand for public transport infrastructure, while environmental concerns have driven the push towards electric vehicle (EV) solutions. These changes bring about a variety of engineering challenges, including managing battery weight, combating corrosion, enhancing structural integrity, and reducing emissions.
Composite materials are ideally suited to meet these new demands. As Patrick Loock, Sales Director for Europe at Exel Composites, explains, 'Composite materials are well-suited to meet the challenges of this new generation of buses and coaches. The customisation options are built into the pultrusion manufacturing process, reducing lead times for customers. Many might know about the light weight, excellent corrosion resistance, and thermal insulating properties of composites.'
Pultruded composites offer significant advantages in terms of manufacturing flexibility and efficiency. For instance, fibreglass side panels can be produced up to 1.2 metres wide and 12 metres long, a size that is difficult to achieve with aluminium profiles. This ability to produce larger, continuous panels simplifies assembly and maintenance, reducing overall costs.
Advanced materials such as composites are becoming increasingly accessible and better suited to the needs of bus and coach manufacturers. Continuous manufacturing techniques like pultrusion enable the production of high-quality, uniform panels and profiles in large volumes, helping manufacturers meet the growing demands of public transport systems.
By leveraging innovative materials and manufacturing techniques, Exel Composites aims to support the development of lighter, more durable, and environmentally friendly vehicles.