Composite Materials for Rail Interiors

Composites provide lightweight solutions for railway vehicles saving as much as 30% to 60% of the weight compared with traditional components. Lower overall weight translates into less stress, faster acceleration and higher speeds, as well as reduced starting and stopping inertia which are all important criteria in recent high-speed and metropolitan railway projects in Europe and China.

Safety Standards

Fire, smoke, and toxic fumes (FST) are key safety criteria for interior components of passenger railway carriages even more so, when trains operate in tunnels or underground, or without a crew.

Any material selected for an interior component and many exterior components, too, must meet international flame retardant standards. Because of the stringent fire, smoke, and toxic fume requirements that most nations apply to passenger railway vehicles when operated within their borders, components made from phenolics are increasingly finding their way into railway interior applications.