The safety cornerstone of rail transit

In a Japanese Shinkansen workshop, technicians conduct final inspections on the train body frames. These frames utilize a lightweight design made of 304 stainless steel, reducing each carriage’s weight by 800 kg compared to conventional steel while offering a 40% improvement in fatigue resistance. This means reduced energy consumption at high speeds and a longer service life for the trains.

The Shinkansen operates in a complex and volatile environment. Winter temperatures in Hokkaido drop as low as -15°C, while summer temperatures in Kyushu soar to 40°C. This dramatic temperature difference puts a strain on every inch of the material. The thermal expansion coefficient of 304 stainless steel is a stable 17.3×10⁻⁶/°C, ensuring that the track joints will not loosen over a decade of service. While the train travels through tunnels at 320 km/h, intense air currents constantly impact the train body, yet the stainless steel’s wear-resistant surface layer makes wind erosion damage virtually negligible. The safety director of a railway company once said, “In rail transit, every detail can impact the lives of tens of millions of passengers. 304 stainless steel, with its stability and durability, provides us with a solid safety barrier.” Here, it’s no longer just an ordinary material; it’s a silent promise to ensure safe travel for tens of millions of passengers.