Gaskets, profiles, bellows and moulded parts qualified to NF EN 45545-2 (HL1-HL3) for passenger doors, windows, interconnection bellows, HVAC and brake systems. Manufactured in ISO 8 cleanroom under ISO 9001 with batch-level traceability and REACH / RoHS records.
Rolling-stock elastomer components operate in the presence of passengers, over 30+ year duty cycles, exposed to UV, ozone, salt spray, continuous mechanical vibration and combustion risk. The European specification NF EN 45545-2 defines three hazard levels (HL1, HL2, HL3) according to vehicle occupancy and evacuation mode. Each formulation must pass oxygen index (LOI), smoke opacity (Ds_max), gaseous effluent toxicity (ITCpₙ_L) and mechanical resistance testing before a series is approved.
NF EN 45545-2 with HL1-HL3 classification according to occupancy and evacuation mode. Oxygen index (LOI ≥29 %), maximum smoke opacity (Ds_max) and cumulative effluent toxicity (ITCpₙ_L) testing. The S16 solid and S33 cellular series from the Progress catalogue exceed all three hazard levels.
NF EN 61373 categories 1A (carbody), 1B (bogie), 2 (motor box) and 3 (heavy components) according to vehicle location. Elastomer fatigue tested over extended cycles with NF ISO 815-1 compression set controlled batch by batch.
Resistance to continuous UV radiation, ozone, salt spray (coastal routes), mineral oils, diesel fuels and organic cleaning solvents. NF ISO 1817 immersion testing in accordance with the railway operator's specification.
Geometric tolerance ISO 3302-1 M2 (moulding) or E1 (extrusion). Shore A hardness between 25 and 85 depending on application. Tensile strength NF ISO 37, tear resistance NF ISO 34-1 (type C specimen), accelerated ageing NF ISO 188.
The S16 (solid, peroxide) and S33 (cellular, platinum-cured) series are mixed on an Italmec banbury with specific retardant fillers, calendered on Colmec lines with in-line thickness control and vulcanised under an inspection plan. Every batch leaves with an LOI, Ds_max and ITCpₙ_L report before delivery is approved — no exceptions for regulated sectors.
The following standards govern material testing, process control and component qualification of elastomer parts in European rolling stock. The specific coverage of each series is confirmed in the certification matrix of the Progress catalogue.
| Standard | Scope of application |
|---|---|
| NF EN 45545-2 | Fire, smoke and toxicity tests for European rolling stock materials · HL1, HL2, HL3 classification depending on occupancy |
| UL94 V-0 | Flammability classification of polymers · complementary test on the formulation |
| NF EN 61373 | Vibration and mechanical shock on railway components · categories 1A, 1B, 2 and 3 depending on location |
| NF X 70-100-1/2 | Analysis of gaseous effluents · toxicity of combustion products |
| NF EN ISO 4589-1/2 | Oxygen index (LOI) · flame spread test |
| NF EN ISO 14644-1 | Cleanroom classes · ISO 8 room for critical rolling stock components |
| ISO 9001 | Quality management system · entire Progress group |
| ISO 13485 | Medical devices QMS · applicable to medical components in hospital vehicles |
| REACH (CE 1907/2006) | Registration, evaluation and restriction of chemical substances in the supply chain |
| RoHS (2015/863) | Restriction of hazardous substances in on-board electrical and electronic equipment |
Two base series of the Progress catalogue cover virtually all railway applications under NF EN 45545-2. The choice between solid and cellular is driven by geometry, function (active sealing, passive sealing, vibration) and the HL level required by the operator's specification.
Fire-retardant peroxide-cured VMQ · extrusion and moulding grade · Shore A 30-85 · range −60 / +200 °C. LOI 32.7 %, Ds_max 84.7, ITCpₙ_L 0.06 · HL1, HL2 and HL3 classification. Available colours: black, blue-black, grey and cream. Solid gaskets, profiles and technical parts.
Fire-retardant peroxide-cured VMQ for injection and compression moulding · LOI 35.1 %, Ds_max 45, ITCpₙ_L 0.06 · HL1, HL2 and HL3. Moulded parts with complex geometry and multiple cavities, plastic-silicone overmoulding for bellows and connectors.
Fire-retardant platinum-cured cellular VMQ · closed-cell structure · density 0.5-0.8 g/cm³ · LOI 29 %, Ds_max 62.1, ITCpₙ_L 0.05 · HL1 and HL2 classification. Sealing profiles under controlled compression, door and window sealing with guaranteed elastic recovery over long cycles.
All three series go through a sealed stainless-steel oven under controlled airflow after vulcanising. Post-cure removes residual volatiles, stabilises mechanical properties and releases the part for certification under the sector standard.
Raw materials arrive with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) from the supplier of polymer, fillers and retardants. Each banbury mix is assigned a unique batch number that travels from the first charge through to packaging of the finished product — extrusion, calendering, moulding, post-cure and packaging are all recorded under the same identifier.
The batch is tested in the laboratory: tensile strength and elongation at break (NF ISO 37), Shore A hardness (NF ISO 7619-1), compression set (NF ISO 815-1), oxygen index (NF EN ISO 4589-2), smoke opacity and effluent toxicity (NF EN 45545-2 R-22 to R-26). The batch sheet and certificate of conformity accompany every shipment and are archived to the operator's specification.
Reference catalogue of the families most requested in European rolling stock. Each product includes specific versions for the HL classifications required by the operator's specification and for the main sector files.
| Product | Typical application in the sector | Data sheet |
|---|---|---|
| TIXAN AIR inflatable seals | HL3 passenger doors, interconnection gangways with active expansion | View details |
| Frame-vulcanised seals | Driver cab door, technical hatches, cabinet sealing | View details |
| Fire-retardant cellular profiles | HL2 side window, side panel sealing, ventilation ducts | View details |
| Square / rectangular profiles | Cargo doors, access ladder profiles, frame sealing | View details |
| Reinforced silicone hoses | HVAC ducts, hydraulic brake systems | View details |
| 2K bi-material overmoulding | Inter-coach gangways, plastic-silicone connectors | View details |
| O-rings | Hydraulic brake systems, railway maintenance autoclaves | View details |
Send us the operator's specification: target HL classification (HL1, HL2 or HL3), dimensions and tolerance, Shore A hardness, applicable customer standard and estimated series. We confirm the applicable series (S16 solid, S16 moulding or S33 cellular), recommended formulation, group plant and sample lead time tested under LOI, Ds_max and ITCpₙ_L. No purchase commitment.
