Swiss Shielding Corporation AAG (SSC), a developer of innovative concepts and system components for railway vehicle construction, has incorporated Plastazote® MP15FR – a lightweight polyethylene (PE) block foam from Zotefoams’ AZOTE® polyolefin foams range – to produce its award-winning rail insulation system SSC-Q, enabling energy savings of up to 26% in comparison with traditional materials.
Plastazote MP15FR – the world’s lightest closed cell crosslinked PE foam – is a key component in the innovative SSC-Q system, providing long-term, consistent insulating properties. Due to its closed cell, crosslinked structure, the polyethylene foam performs efficiently and effectively in all climate zones, resisting moisture absorption to minimise the risk of condensation and associated mould growth.
Plastazote MP15FR delivers best-in-class flammability credentials along with incomparable lightweight properties, guaranteeing a cost-effective solution to saving energy. It also has exceptional vibration absorption capabilities that give superior comfort to passengers.
Various insulation materials had been tested as an alternative, in both dry and wet conditions and, while with SSC-Q1 constructed with MP15FR the deviation of the insulation value is in the single-digit percentage range, the values for open-cell materials in wet conditions deviate by up to 74% of the specified value, significantly reducing insulation performance.
SSC spokesperson comments, “If a vehicle is equipped with open cell insulation and it becomes damp or wet – which will happen sooner or later – the material loses its insulation properties and energy costs rise dramatically.”
They continue, “SSC-Q1 is not influenced by moisture or temperature fluctuations, so thanks to the constant insulation properties of Plastazote MP15FR, energy-efficient travel is possible.”
Headquartered in Goldach, Switzerland, SSC specialises in the development and production of innovative concepts and system components for railway vehicle construction, including complete solutions for interior layouts.
SSC prides itself on being environmentally responsible, using sustainable materials wherever possible to benefit passengers, the economy and the environment, and so recognises the need for advanced materials offering superior performance and a unique combination of advantages for the rail industry globally.
Simultaneously, through Zotefoams’ unique material and SSC’s advanced technologies, an insulation system has been designed to meet the exacting requirements of railway industry standard EN45545. Its unique properties have been effectively demonstrated as SSC has since received recognition from the Watt d’Or awards – a prestigious award created by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy to acknowledge innovative Swiss companies setting new standards for solutions that unite energy and environment awareness – in the ‘Energy-Efficient Mobility’ category.
Find out more about Plastazote.