The initiative aims to increase the durability of concrete sleepers with technology developed in Vale do Sinos
This week, Professor Daiana Cristina Metz Arnold and the academic Mateus Stoffel, from Feevale University, were in the state of Pará to conduct another stage of the innovation project "Study of Polymeric Resins for Repair and Abrasion Prevention in Concrete Sleepers." The team works at the Carajás Railway (EFC), operated by Vale S.A., monitoring field applications, technical training, and material validations.
Developed as a partnership with Vale since 2019, the project involves researchers, professors, and students from Feevale and aims to create solutions to increase the service life of concrete sleepers used on the railway's permanent track. The research also includes the development of exclusive equipment for application and maintenance of the materials, promoting innovation throughout the entire process chain.
The current initiative involves the participation of Vale professionals and representatives of international companies, who monitor the practical applications and performance tests of the products developed. In addition to applying the resins in the field, Feevale team is also training Vale technicians in the use of the materials and equipment. The project is interdisciplinary and involves students from undergraduate programs such as Civil
Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Architecture and Urban Planning, as well as students from the Graduate Program in Materials Technology and Industrial Processes. According to Professor Daiana, the active participation of the students provides highly qualified practical experience and contributes to the development of professionals with a strong technical and scientific basis. "The partnership between Feevale and Vale reinforces the University's role in applied research and technology transfer to industry, focusing on sustainable and high-performance solutions for real challenges facing Brazilian infrastructure," she emphasizes.
