Development of novel composite materials for Escalator Handrails with improved properties

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Escalators are nowadays considered an essential infrastructure in multilevel public places that have a high-volume of people traffic. They help with the mobility up or down levels in a fast and convenient way. Due to the escalator is permanently moving, safety is of paramount importance. The escalator handrail is the only other movable part of an escalator, apart from the steps, that is in contact with the user. The handrail's main purpose is to ensure the safety of the users by providing a) the initial guidance to enter the system, b) balance support while in transit and for any sudden and unexpected change in the escalator speed and c) the last point of support when leaving the system. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that the handrail profile's integrity remains unchanged during its continuous movement through the escalator system and over different seasons of the year. A critical performance aspect of the handrails pertains to their dimensional stability. Shrinkage or widening of the handrail in the direction perpendicular to the handrail's length is common between -10°C and 50°C. This influences its durability and pose a safety issue. Shrinkage increases the wear of the handrail as it tightens over the conveyor system. On the other hand, the handrail gets loose during its expansion and increases the risk of disengaging from the guide and cause the users to trip or fall. As the world's leader manufacturer and supplier of handrails, EHC Global takes users' safety very seriously. This project will help EHC Global decrease the dimensional changes with temperature of the handrail. In addition, the project will also aim at lowering the production costs of the handrail. Both objectives will be addressed at the same time by studying different continuous and discreate non-metallic (synthetic and natural) reinforcements as substitutes for the current steel fiber cords used in the handrail. Improving the handrail's durability and lowering its costs will help EHC Global remain above the increasing worldwide competition and continue to be a healthy contributor to the Canadian society, while sustaining the image of Canada as a leader in research and innovation.