[JP] Next-Gen Material for Maglev Use

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世界初！ リニア向け“次世代材料”本格採用に道筋 JR東海が大量生産技術を確立 新幹線の橋にも活用
World First: JR Central Develops Mass Production Tech for Next-Gen Material for Maglev Use – Also to Be Used in Shinkansen Bridges

JR Central has become the first in the world to develop mass production technology for basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) rebar, a next-generation material that could replace low-magnetic steel rebar in maglev infrastructure.

Maglev structures use low-magnetic rebar to minimize resistance from magnetic fields generated by superconducting magnets. Now, JR Central has established a method to mass-produce basalt FRP rebar, a non-metallic alternative made from basalt fibers and thermoplastic resin that hardens when cooled. Since 2021, tests at the Komaki Research Facility and Yamanashi Maglev Test Line have confirmed the material’s strength and quality. The new process allows quick production of various diameters (5–32 mm), making it the first of its kind globally.

Compared to steel, basalt FRP is:

• Non-magnetic

• Electrically insulating

• Corrosion-resistant

• About one-fifth the weight

• Roughly three times stronger in yield strength

These features could reduce energy use during train operation, enhance durability of concrete structures, lower maintenance costs, and improve construction efficiency. JR Central plans to continue testing basalt FRP on the maglev test line and apply it to bridge maintenance on the Tokaido Shinkansen, particularly at locations prone to salt damage like the Hamanako Bridge.

Norimono News, https://topics.smt.docomo.ne.jp/article ... ews-583541 accessed September 8, 2025

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World’s First Mass Production Technology for “Next-Generation Materials” on Linear Shinkansen

JR Central announced the world’s first mass production technology for a new material that will replace low-magnetic steel rebar in the structure of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen. This innovation, the *Basalt FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) Rebar*, is made from basalt fibers and offers a significant improvement over traditional materials used in high-speed rail construction.

The main advantage of Basalt FRP rebar is that it is non-magnetic, which reduces interference with the superconducting magnets that power the Linear Chuo Shinkansen. In addition to being non-magnetic, it is also electrically insulating, corrosion-resistant, lightweight (about one-fifth the weight of steel), and has approximately three times the yield strength of conventional rebar. These properties make it ideal for use in Maglev infrastructure, as it helps reduce energy consumption during train operation and enhances the durability of concrete structures.

JR Central developed the mass production technology by refining existing manufacturing methods. The process uses thermoplastic resin that hardens when cooled, allowing for the rapid production of Basalt FRP rebar in various sizes (5mm to 32mm in diameter). After conducting extensive testing at their Komaki research facility and the Yamanashi Linear Test Track since 2021, the company confirmed the material's strength, quality, and suitability for large-scale use.

The new material is expected to improve the construction and maintenance of Shinkansen infrastructure. In addition to being used in the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, JR Central plans to apply Basalt FRP rebar to prevent cracking in the Hamana Bridge of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, where salt damage is a concern. This technology represents a major advancement in materials science for high-speed rail and could lead to cost savings in both construction and maintenance while improving the environmental sustainability of the network.

Info based on yahoo Japan News, accessed 2005-09-09