Elastomers according to EN 45545-2 – Safety and performance for railway vehicle construction
Preventive fire protection plays a central role in modern railway vehicle construction. Elastomers, in particular, which are widely used as sealing, insulating, damping, and protective materials, must meet the highest requirements for flame retardancy, smoke emission, and toxicity. The European standard EN 45545-2 is the relevant standard in this regard.
Dr. Dietrich Müller GmbH offers a wide range of customized elastomer solutions for railway applications that meet the requirements of this standard – from EPDM to silicone (VMQ).
What does EN 45545-2 regulate?
The standard EN 45545-2 “Railway applications – Fire protection in railway vehicles”" It defines the fire protection requirements for materials and components. Among other things, the following are assessed:
- flame spread
- Heat release rate
- Flue gas density
- Toxicity of flue gases
Depending on the installation location, the classification is based on requirement sets R1–R26 and hazard levels HL1, HL2, and HL3. For indoor applications in high-speed trains or subways, HL2 or HL3 is often required.
Why are elastomers so important in the railway sector?
Elastomers perform numerous safety-relevant functions in railway vehicle construction:
- Sealing of doors, windows and transitions
- Vibration and noise insulation
- thermal insulation
- Electric Isolation
- Protection against moisture, dust and chemicals
These materials in particular must be self-extinguishing in the event of a fire, must not form burning droplets and must have the lowest possible smoke toxicity.
EN-45545 compliant elastomer materials from Dr. Dietrich Müller GmbH
EPDM elastomers according to EN 45545-2
EPDM is ideally suited for applications with high demands on:
- Ozone and weather resistance
- Elasticity under changing temperatures
- Mechanical resilience
Typical areas of application:
- Seals
- Flat gaskets
- Protective and cover profiles
- Decoupling elements
Depending on the material quality, HL2 classifications according to R22/R23/R24 are achievable.
VMQ silicone (solid & foamed) for high-temperature applications
Silicone elastomers impress with:
- Temperature ranges up to +200 °C
- Very high resistance to aging and UV radiation.
- Good electrical insulation properties
For the railway sector, HL3-qualified VMQ materials are available, e.g. for:
- High-temperature seals
- Mouldings
- cable glands
- Insulation components
Advantages of EN-45545 compliant elastomers
- Increased personal safety in case of fire
- Reduced smoke development
- Minimized toxic emissions
- International eligibility
- Meeting high OEM specifications
Tailor-made solutions for railway OEMs and suppliers
Dr. Dietrich Müller GmbH not only develops standard products, but also offers:
- Custom cuts
- Profile manufacturing
- Adhesive versions
- laminations
- Special materials for HL2/HL3 requirements
- Small parts manufacturing & series production
In-house processing and material expertise allow us to precisely adapt elastomer solutions to the respective R-requirements of EN 45545-2.
Typical applications in rail vehicles
- Door and window seals
- Vibration decoupling in the interior
- Cable and conduit penetrations
- Insulation of air ducts
- Protection systems in engine rooms
- Battery and electronics covers
Summary
Elastomers conforming to EN 45545-2 are an indispensable component of modern fire protection concepts in the railway sector. Whether EPDM or VMQ silicone – Dr. Dietrich Müller GmbH offers a comprehensive portfolio of railway-qualified materials that meet the highest safety and quality requirements.
The team at Dr. Dietrich Müller GmbH will gladly assist you in selecting the optimal EN 45545-compliant elastomer for your application. Please see our [link to relevant information]. Product portfolio according to EN 45545-2
