A new generation of containers
Fibrocom has recently developed a new generation of logistics container for use in transporting bulk products such as wood chips and pellets. This multimode unit can be carried by both road and rail and avoids the need to unload and reload goods during a journey or use specialist solutions – and delivers a significant increase in payload and valuable savings in transport and handling costs.
The new design offers a high strength/weight ratio, excellent impact strength, seamless construction, great weather and corrosion resistance, and easy repairability. Weight savings of up to 50% compared to traditional containers are possible. Good thermal insulation comes as standard, and fire resistance can be added if needed.
One-shot moulding results in seamless walls and floors and eliminates the need for metal profiles for jointing purposes, further increasing weight savings and improving the container’s inherent strength.
Like all fibre composites, channel composite structures do not absorb moisture or rot, or become fragile at low temperatures; and as the bottom of the container is smooth, it will not collect snow or ice either. As channel composite structures can be repaired more easily than traditional plywood structures, wear and tear is also less of a problem.
“Can be carried by both road and rail,
avoiding the need to unload and
reload goods during a journey.”
It’s all in the channels
Fibrocom’s channel composite technology overcomes the difficulties associated with forming conventional honeycomb structures into complicated shapes. It does this by using a single fibre to weave tubes and channels into a continuous structure, which offers the reduced weight and strength of honeycomb structures, but at a much lower cost.
Filling these channels with various core materials results in a rigid sandwich material that can be easily formed into a very wide range of shapes, and offers good kinetic energy-damping properties, as well as better shear resistance than conventional sandwich materials.
Structures made of channel composite can be coated to provide protection against electromagnetic waves or fire; and tailored to different needs by changing the composition of the fabric, the core material, and the size, shape, and spacing of the channels. The latter can be used to provide thermal and sound insulation or as ducts for wiring.
Channel composite structures can be much stronger and stiffer along all their axes than conventional laminated sandwich structures of the same thickness and weight per square metre made from the same materials. They also offer higher compression strength and better resistance to delamination.