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Exel Composites’ rail joints conform to the new European standard

Following tests carried out in Finland last autumn, composites manufacturer Exel Composites has validated the compliance of its fibreglass fishplate rail joints with the new European standard EN 16843.

Exel Composites’ rail joints conform to the new European standard
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Railway joint bars are metal or composite pieces used to connect two consecutive rails. The complete assembly of two rails and two joint bars is called a joint. Finnish composites manufacturer Exel Composites has just had its fibreglass rail joints certified as compliant with European standard EN 16843. The standard was updated in January 2024 to meet the changing needs of rail systems, with higher power levels, demanding environmental conditions and a drive for standardisation at European level.

Our rail joints have been in use for over 40 years, with a design that has stood the test of time. We use a laminate glass fiber composite for the joint and process everything in house, so we can create a standardized connection point, “explains Heini Kloster, Product Manager at Exel Composites.

To meet the requirements of EN 16843, Exel’s rail joints were subjected to third-party testing in Finland. Tensile and bending strength and electrical insulation tests were carried out on complete joints installed on rails, with simulation of the mechanical stresses to which rail joints are subjected in service, including forces exerted by passing trains and changes in track geometry. Electrical tests, carried out before and after the mechanical tests to ensure that the insulating properties were not lost during use, confirmed the insulating properties of the joints in modern electrical environments and in various weather conditions.

An updated standard

The updated European Standard shows that regulation is needed to ensure rail joints remain reliable. Passing the certification confirms our joints have always stayed on top of the game, even as railway infrastructure evolved around it,”notes Heini Kloster.

This updated standard for insulated and non-insulated rail joints on both stressed and unstressed track ensures that these joints maintain the safety and reliability of modern trains, and meet mechanical and electrical performance requirements even though they are often required to operate in harsh conditions such as prolonged exposure to UV rays, humidity and wide temperature variations.

International recognition

Exel Composites believes that alignment with the European standard will not only highlight the reliability of its composites in rail infrastructure, but also open the door to international opportunities. “While EN16843 is a European Standard, they often serve as benchmarks for quality worldwide. In Southeast Asia, where railway infrastructure is rapidly expanding, aligning with European Standards positions our composites as a reliable choice for meeting both current and future network challenges“, concludes Kloster.

Photos: Exel Composites

More information exelcomposites.com

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