"Flying" torch fluttering light behind a "world first"

Original title: "Flying" torch fluttering light behind a "world first"

The "flying" torch is fluttering in shape. Xinhua News Agency

The "flying" torch of the Winter Olympics has a delicate structure in the shape of a fluttering structure, and also contains technical challenges. How to make the carbon fiber material torch shell achieve both light and dynamic, and withstand the test of fire resistance and high temperature resistance? How to make the hydrogen storage tank and burner "dojo in the shell of the snail" in the torch to ensure that the hydrogen combustion system presents a full and dazzling flame state? According to the requirements of the major tasks of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, under the overall command and strong support of the Winter Olympic Office and the Ministry of Science and Technology of China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation, Shanghai Petrochemical Co., Ltd. took the lead in the development of the carbon fiber shell of the Winter Olympic torch.

In the face of challenges, Shanghai Petrochemical has faced difficulties. A battle of collaborative innovation is in full swing around the "flying" torch. On the one hand, led by Shanghai Petrochemical General, the three-dimensional weaving team of Donghua University and Yunlu Composite Company is responsible for the research and development and production of three-dimensional weaving technology of the torch shell, the laser carving spray painting and coloring, assembly, and the maximum reduction of the flexible shape of the torch; in cooperation with Shanghai Zhongnucle Eight Technology Co., Ltd. and Kubei Chemical (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., the research and development of carbon fiber composite materials to meet the needs of high temperature resistance and fire resistance. At the same time, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Group and the China Aerospace Science and Industry Group dispatched internal research and development units to develop the internal streamers and combustion systems of hydrogen torches and propane torches respectively.

Within 3 months of the development of the torch shell, the research team overcame a number of technical problems one by one, forming a one-stop solution from carbon fiber production, composite material preparation to product terminal application.

Compared with the previous aluminum alloy material, the carbon fiber torch is light and strong, which can ensure that the torch has a better feel when passed at low temperatures in winter. However, carbon fiber itself is not resistant to high temperatures, let alone fire. In order to solve this problem, the R & D team worked together to introduce high-performance resin, together with carbon fiber to make carbon fiber composite materials, through process adjustment, the upper half of the torch combustion end in a high temperature above 1000 °C for special treatment, to achieve combustion temperature greater than 800 °C hydrogen combustion environment normal use.

The production of olympic torch shell with carbon fiber composite materials is not only the world's first, but also innovatively realizes that the weight of the torch shell is more than 20% lighter than that of aluminum alloy shell, showing the characteristics of "light, solid and beautiful".

In the end, after expert identification and practical testing, the carbon fiber hydrogen energy torch has high safety and reliability, can resist 10 winds and rainstorms, and can be used in extremely cold weather. (Zhang Xiaoming)

【Source: Wen Wei Po】