When it comes to passenger safety in public transport, material choice is critical. Around half of all fire-related casualties are not linked to flames, but to the inhalation of smoke and toxic gases. For manufacturers and operators in the rail sector, the challenge is clear: select materials that limit ignition, reduce flame spread, and minimise smoke and toxicity.

Polymax is bringing the latest in material innovation with the introduction of Polymax TRail® EN45545-certified rubber compounds. These compounds have been developed by Polymax’s in-house chemists and independently certified by a COFRAC accredited laboratory, ensuring compliance with the highest international safety standards.

Why EN45545 Matters

The EN45545-2:2013+A1:2016 standard governs the fire behaviour of materials used in rail and transport applications, classifying them by hazard level depending on their use inside or outside carriages. The goal is simple but vital: to restrict fire development and provide passengers and staff valuable time to reach safety.

The approved compounds meet the most demanding of these classifications:

• Polymax TRail® R10 HL3 – SE 75
• Polymax TRail® R22/23 HL2 – RE 75

Tested for Safety, Proven in Performance

The compounds have undergone rigorous testing across key fire performance measures:

• ISO 9239-1 Critical Flux Test – Demonstrates resistance to flame spread; Polymax compounds showed excellent performance in limiting flame propagation.
• ISO 5660-1 Rate of Heat Release – Using a cone calorimeter, the compounds achieved a low Maximum Average Rate of Heat Emission (MARHE), indicating slower heat release and reduced fire intensity.
• ISO 5659-2 Smoke Density and Toxicity – Tests confirmed low smoke generation with significantly reduced emission of toxic gases, a major factor in improving survivability during a fire.
• ISO 4589-2 Oxygen Index – Both compounds required a high minimum oxygen concentration to sustain combustion, showing strong resistance to ignition in real-world scenarios.

These results place Polymax EN45545 compounds firmly among the most reliable solutions for safety-critical rail applications, e.g. in the form of extrusions, mouldings and hoses.

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