JPG PDF PNG ? zip

Composites in Manufacturing Magazine

  • Articles
    • News
    • Features
    • Products
  • Video
  • Magazine
    • Digital Editions
    • Subcontractor sourcing guide
    • Latest Newsletter
    • Editorial Programme
  • Literature
  • Events
  • Associations
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
    • Readership
    • Editorial Programme
    • Digital/eMarketing
    • Rates & Specs
    • Media Pack 2021
    • Members’ Directory
    • Members’ Directory Brochure
  • Contact Us

TFP hails rail fire testing success

12 October 2020 • In Products
TFP hails rail fire testing success

Technical Fibre Products (TFP) has made available new fire test data for the use of its Tecnofire in rolling stock composites applications.

The results demonstrate Tecnofire’s effectiveness in enabling composites manufactured from a non-FST epoxy carbon fibre prepreg to pass key elements of the EN45545-2 rail standard with a HL2 R1 rating.

Tecnofire is a range of intumescent fire protection materials which are designed for use in composite applications and are effective in protecting the underlying structure during a fire, whilst reducing smoke and heat release.

A recent three-year study of these materials, carried out by the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, investigated the performance of Tecnofire for use in composite applications in the rail sector. The study focused on the incorporation of Tecnofire into composites in order to pass fire tests which are part of the EN45545-2 standard required in rolling stock applications for interior panelling (R1).

Three types of composite were investigated; a standard (i.e. non fire, smoke & toxic fume (FST) rated) epoxy carbon fibre prepreg based composite, a standard non-FST epoxy carbon fibre prepreg based sandwich composite and finally, a polyester resin vacuum infused composite window panel for an underground train. All three parts were fabricated and subjected to stringent fire testing to assess their performance to specific EN44545 tests.

The fire tests carried out were ISO 5660-1 (MARHE (kW/m2)), ISO 5659-2 (Ds(4), VOF4 (min) and CIT at 8 min). The control panels not incorporating the Tecnofire material achieved HL1 (R1), which is the lowest level of performance to EN45545-2. For the three different composite structures incorporating Tecnofire, all MARHE (kW/m2), Ds(4), VOF4 (min) results successfully achieved the EN45545-2 HL2 R1 requirement and all CIT at 8 min results achieved the EN45545 (higher rated) HL3 requirement. This success demonstrates the effectiveness of Tecnofire in providing the required level of fire protection to the structure; incorporating a layer of Tecnofire intumescent veil improved the FST performance of the composite part from HL1 to HL2 (R1). HL2 R1 rating makes the composite parts suitable for use in interior panelling in the majority of trains currently manufactured. In the case of the window panel, the results were particularly notable, as the fire test results were all very close to the HL3 rating and the part also surpassed all the mechanical requirements for use in an underground train.

In addition to its successful performance in fire testing Tecnofire offers a number of advantages; it is easy to incorporate at the surface of the composite before processing, is readily infusible, requires no additional processing steps and the required mechanical properties can still be met. It also potentially removes the need for specialist fire retardant resins to be utilised. It has been used extensively in a range of industries and has been specified for use in utility poles, bridges, fire doors, aircraft and mass transport applications such as buses, trams and trains following successful fire testing.

www.tfpglobal.com

 

Mike Richardson

Tags

Technical Fibre Products (TFP) Fire fire testing nonwovens smoke & toxicity

Share This Article

Tweet

Share

Share

Share

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter

Related Articles

New TFP nonwovens study demonstrates abrasion resistance improvement

4 days ago Mike Richardson
news

TFP acquires PV3 and strengthens hydrogen portfolio

3 months ago Michael Tyrrell
news

TFP introduces new materials at China Composites Expo 2020

8 months ago Mike Richardson
news

Most recent Articles

Armacell and METYX pursue joint business opportunities

11 hours ago Michael Tyrrell
news

COBRA commission new prepreg compression moulding line

11 hours ago Michael Tyrrell
news

Project profession sees shift to a permanent remote working model

13 hours ago Mike Richardson
news

Share This Article

Tweet

Share

Share

Share

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter

February/March 2021

Subscribe to our FREE Media Network

INFORMATION

    • About Us
    • Privacy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Contact Us

CATEGORIES

  • Features (635)
  • Literature (13)
  • News (2,491)
  • Products (102)
  • Video (71)

TAGS

  • 5-axis
  • University of Sheffield
  • Hannover Messe
  • rolling stock
  • barcode scanning

OUR OTHER MAGAZINES

Aerospace Manufacturing Logo Composites in Manufacturing Logo

CONTACT INFORMATION

  • Composites in Manufacturing Magazine
  • MIT Publishing
  • Featherstone House
  • 375 High Street
  • Rochester
  • Kent
  • ME1 1DA
01634 830566

Back To Top

1998 - 2021 © MIT Publishing
Site designed & developed by TJC