AN INTERCHANGEABLE lightweight composite brake block for use on European freight wagons is being launched by a joint venture of Italian Brakes and Trenitalia.
The LL block is designed as a straight substitute for conventional cast iron blocks, but its lighter weight makes it safer to handle and its life expectancy is around five times greater at 25000 km. The block is manufactured from Italian Brakes’ Ecobrake material, which uses steel fibres in place of asbestos to minimise environmental impact whilst still offering lower noise levels and reduced fire risk.
Originally supplying the automotive industry, the Napoli-based company entered the rail sector in 1976, with a contract from the Circumvesuviana Railway. Ecobrake was developed over the next four years, and Italian Brakes formed a joint venture with the IRI group in 1990 to supply the Italian market. Its K type composite blocks are now in widespread use.
A major advance with the LL design is a slot across the face of the block, which collects dust and keeps the tread clean, helping to ensure an equal force throughout the braking period. Following dynamometer trials, prototype LL brake blocks are in use on a wide variety of Trenitalia wagons.
Italian Brakes is also developing inorganic disc brake pads for use on high speed trains. Designed to withstand very high temperatures, the S4 pads have completed dynamometer testing, and the company is in discussion with Trenitalia over a full-scale trial on a live trainset in revenue service.
Italian Brakes, Italy
