Sleek, streamlined streetcars glide just above the pavement on the streets of Krefeld, Germany. Operated by SWK Mobil, the low-floor cars deliver improved comfort and modern design – both important considerations in a city where 65,000 people use streetcars every day. The fact that the streetcar bodies were built from stainless steel produced in Krefeld is equally important.
The 19 cars were manufactured and assembled by Bombardier in Aachen, their undercarriages were made in Siegen and their electrical systems were manufactured in Düsseldorf. In short, the futuristic, efficient streetcars are fully German-made.
Strong, light and formable
Based on Bombardier’s Flexity Outlook design, the Krefeld streetcars were built to exacting criteria in 2009. To ensure passenger safety, the car bodies had to be lightweight, but strong. And to protect SWK Mobil’s €45 million investment, long service life was essential.
A total of 90 metric tonnes of Outokumpu Moda 410L/4003 was used in the 19 cars’ sidewall frames, various articulated joints and front ends. Ferritic, Moda 410L/4003 offers elevated yield strength and abrasion resistance. For mobile structures with dynamic loads, joint fatigue performance is critically important; stainless steel excels in that area.
Contribution to lightweight designs
The versatility, excellent formability and durability of stainless steel make it the material of choice for an increasing number of manufacturers in the transportation sector. Even low-gauge sheet displays high strength and stiffness, and makes a major contribution to lightweight designs.
Because Moda 410L/4003 contains little nickel, it is less vulnerable to price volatility. And because stainless steel is fully recyclable, it is a sustainable solution.