This month we are excited to launch our new UL94V-0 approved solid silicone – kSil™V-0 70.

With a focus on improving fire safety in end applications, the laboratory team started work on the development at the start of the year to compliment the already existing kSil™V-0 sponge grade which was launched in 2016.

With growing demand for flame resistant materials in Mass Transit sectors, the kSil™V-0 range of silicone ensures protection from flame and high temperatures up to 230°C (446°F).

David Harris, Senior Materials Technologist said “We are delighted about achieving UL94V-0 rating for a solid grade. kSil™V-0 70 is an enhanced version of our kSil™LCH EN formulation, offering the same qualifications for the rail industry (EN45545-2, R22/23 & R1/7) but with a V-0 flame rating down to 2mm in thickness.

This will hopefully offer engineers additional material solutions when looking at applications that need critical fire safety approvals.”

Available in sheets, rolls and extrusions (cords, profiles and tubing) kSil™V-0 70 can be used as seals and gaskets within interiors to protect vital electrical parts in applications such as Lighting, HVAC, LCD Displays and Door Systems.

The new solid grade is compliant with the European rail fire safety standard EN45545-2. Tested to R1 and R7 (HL2) as well as R22 and R23 (HL3), the silicone provides additional fire protection to rail interior applications.

 

To find out more about our V-0 range of silicone solid and sponge, contact us today or download our V-0 rail brochure.

It’s not everyday you decide to take on three of the Yorkshires Dales’ biggest mountains all in a day. But that is what Technical Director Steve Hadlington took on, all in aid of raising money for the animals charity the RSCPA.

The Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge takes place each year with walkers and runners challenged to cover 40km (25 miles) with 5200ft of ascents up three of the most challenging mountains in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in under 12 hours.

 

Steve managed to complete the walk within 10 hours, starting the walk at 7:15am and finishing at 5:15pm.

With help from Silicone Engineering and other generous donations, Steve raised over £1000 for the animals charity. A great effort for a great cause!

 

 

 

The UK railway system is the oldest in the world. The first locomotive-hauled public railway opened almost 200 years ago, in 1825. The UK has the 17^th largest railway system in the world, and also the fifth busiest with a ridership in 2015/16 of 1.718 billion passengers. Such heavy usage puts the network under pressure and means that, in order to withstand the demand being placed upon them, the materials used on the trains need to be of the absolute highest quality.

Using silicone

Silicone is popular for use in both the interior and exterior of train carriages. In the interior silicone is used for HVAC gaskets, lighting seals, display gaskets, interior door seals and vibration dampening. On the exterior silicone is used for exterior door seals, exterior lighting gaskets and enclosure seals.

It’s popular due to its flexibility in use, high temperature resistance, environmental resistance to UV and Ozone, excellent sealing capabilities and long lifespan which reduces the need for replacement over time which in turn improves efficiency.

For the rail industry

In our catalogue, you’ll find a variety of silicone formulations ideal for use in the rail industry. Our newest and most versatile solution yet is kSilV-0, a lightweight, closed cell silicone sponge. This has been specifically designed for use in rail interior applications due to its flame-resistant properties. Meeting all the required rail safety standards such as EN45545-2, it’s been specially formulated for use in the interior of a train carriage in door seals, electronic enclosures and LED gaskets – among other applications.

 

It’s available in a wide range of thicknesses, from 2mm to 45mm, and in a variety of densities, from 150kg/m3 to 600kg/m3. kSilv-0 can be supplied in sheets, rolls and in a variety of extrusions from tubes to cords. Also available is a kSilV-0 solid silicone grade when additional strength is required, most commonly used where abrasion is a factor.

Safety compliant

On our trains, the need for ensuring passenger safety has never been more important which is why our materials meet the most stringent safety standards demanded by the rail industry. kSilV-0 has low smoke and low toxicity properties meaning it is compliant with European Fire Standard EN45545-2. Furthermore, it is flame resistant to UL94-V0.

Multi-purpose use

The beauty of silicone as a material for the rail industry is the diversity of use. Our unique formulations make it suitable for use either inside or outside of a rail carriage. In door seals, it’s ideal because of its low compression set and dimensional stability. In HVAC seals and gaskets it’s great to use as it can withstand heat fluctuations, and in LED lighting gaskets to protect them from water, dust and moisture while withstanding high temperatures often experienced with LED lighting. The closed-cell structure also makes it the ideal material to use for thermal insulation, vibration and shock dampening, improving passenger experience.

Contact us today

Silicone Engineering has been leading the way in silicone innovation since 1959. We work to the highest standards ensuring you are supplied with a product which is fabricated to your exacting standards, is contaminant free, highly stable and meticulously precise.

Our highly skilled workforce is ready to help you today, so contact us to find out more about the silicone solutions we can provide for the rail and mass transit industry.

When railway vehicles are designed and constructed, the safety for passengers and staff is the top priority. Safety levels have been increased continually over the years and today all materials used must fulfil the highest fire protection and passenger safety requirements. Silicone Engineering has long manufactured both solid silicone and sponge/foam silicones that are used frequently in the railway industry. Silicone parts are produced in varied formats from sheets, flexible profiles and fabric constructions to moulded parts. In this blog we will explore popular areas silicone is used in both internal and external applications within train construction.

 

Wall and ceiling insulation

Silicone sponge provides a closed cell insulation material with a high resistance to compression set, low thermal conductivity and strong resistance to water vapour diffusion protection against moisture penetration ensuring a dependable long-term protection against energy losses.

Within this application, silicone sponge is also excellent at stopping the proliferation of smoke when used to fill spaces in between ceiling spaces and compartments.

HVAC seals & gaskets

HVAC systems within rail carriages are designed to withstand heat fluctuations and varying degrees of vibration. kSil™V-0 has been specially formulated to withstand extreme temperatures from -60°C to 230°C whilst sealing to IP67. The high flexibility of the material also allows simple installation on even the most complex shaped HVAC fittings and equipment, protecting pipes against energy loss and condensation.

On air-ducts and refrigerant pipework, extruded silicone sponge tubes can make an important contribution to the high level of fire safety required in rail vehicles. The closed cell insulation material is armed with, flame retardant properties compliant to UL94 V-0 and low smoke, low toxicity rail standards EN 45545-2 (HL2 and HL3).

Exterior light seals

Silicone can provide high-performance gaskets for LED lighting in exterior components, available in both solid and sponge custom formats that include, profiles, tubing, cords and sections for specific sealing designs.

Silicone has excellent weathering properties from UV, Ozone and general weathering such as rain, wind, hail and frost. The seal will maintain its sealing properties in all conditions.

Vibration dampening

One issue that is particularly relevant to the rail industry is vibration.  Our kSil™V-0 material in both sponge and solid provide excellent vibration, shock and acoustic dampening properties for rail flooring systems.

Due to its compact, closed-cell structure, kSil™V-0 effectively absorbs vibration and provides protection to train flooring systems and underground applications where vibration levels peak. As well as silicone being very flexible, silicones’ molecular structure also helps defer harmful vibrations away from critical electrical systems and fittings.

 

LED display seals

LED lighting seals need to be protected from a range of elements from dust, moisture to high temperatures. kSil™V-0 is formulated to protect from all of the mentioned elements that would be common to a mass-transit vehicle. Its closed cell structure prevents water, dust and moisture ingress to IP67, ensuring a water tight seal.

Interior door seals

Silicone sponge and solid parts are ideal for interior door seals due to the flexible nature of the material. A great advantage of the synthetic rubber, which becomes particularly apparent in the tight installation situations involved with mass transit vehicle construction.

Seat cushioning

Our low-density silicone sponge can be used in seat/cushioning applications, the lightweight material offers great comfort and excellent recovery from extensive use.

Our technical knowledge ensures that our products meet the current requirements for both mechanical performance and consumer safety.

Electrical enclosure gasket

Silicone seals and gaskets in solid or sponge form are perfect for enclosures that house vital equipment that include communications, UPS/battery backup, PA and CCTV, level crossing, security and CIS.

Silicone Engineering’s expertise in silicone manufacture and design ensures the silicone seals used in this application achieve IP ratings of 66 and 67. The high-performance sealing provides ensures critical systems are kept completely sealed to perform at their optimum level.