“ The Indian railways should spend the passenger safety allocation to upgrade the safety standards of coaches with high strength Duplex stainless steel to make the coach lighter to save on energy cost, less wear and tear on wheels and tracks and most importantly provide safety to passengers in the event of a crash due to very high impact strength. The weight saving can neutralize the extra weight being added due to bio toilets and dig-ester tanks.” Said said Mr Yatinder Pal Singh Suri, Managing Director and Country Managing, Outokumpu India, one of the largest stainless steel making company in the world and former President, IIT Kharagpur Alumni Association and a Metallurgists from IIT , Kharagpur.
“ In the last few decades stainless steel has become standard application for a wide range of rail applications. Regional, commuter, metro, underground and light-rail train services - all rely on stainless solutions. The main reasons for extensive preference of Stainless steel over other materials include corrosion resistance, durability, crash resistance, High impact strength , fire safety, ease of cleaning, maintenance and visual attractiveness.” said Mr Yatinder Pal Singh Suri.
“Similarly wagons with Duplex stainless steel will make them lighter and allow one ton extra material to be carried as pay load adding to railway profitability. Also the rail bridges along the coast line as well as water storage and distribution at railway stations should be made from stainless steel. The travelling passenger needs clean, hygienic and safe drinking water at the stations.” Mr Suri added.
“ Metro networks in India in various cities are using stainless steel coaches only as stainless steels’ mechanical properties like impact strength and corrosion resistance are of prime importance in rail applications to ensure that human beings are protected and maintenance & operating costs are kept low. Stainless also has an aesthetically pleasing appearance, making it the material of choice in geographically demanding environments that a rail car in India travels to. Taking into account its recyclability, reuse, long life, low cost maintenance together with human safety aspects, stainless steel coaches should be mandatory.” said Mr Suri.
“The duplex stainless steel grades can make the coaches still lighter with higher life span offering tremendous cost advantages for Indian Railways. There is no deterioration in quality and even after a maintenance free life of more than 50 years, the metal can be recycled. “he concluded.
“The duplex stainless steel grades can make the coaches still lighter with higher life span offering tremendous cost advantages for Indian Railways. There is no deterioration in quality and even after a maintenance free life of more than 50 years, the metal can be recycled. “he concluded.