Silicone Sealant For Rail Industry

Silicone sealant for the rail industry is now considered a vital need for this vast transport network. Compared to welding, silicone sealant plays a lesser-known part in providing smoother rides to commuters while enjoying a much longer lifetime. Silicone sealants bond and seal metal, plastics, and glass and are used in both rail interiors and exterior parts. 

One primary reason for this multi-purpose use is their simple structure and visual appeal. Compared to other substitutes like MS polymers and 2K Polyurethane, silicone sealants are aesthetically pleasing in physical appearance. They also require less maintenance over time, making them a common choice for bonding and sealing in rail coaches. 

Let’s learn more about the uses of silicone sealants and their requirements for the rail industry.

Silicone Sealant For Rail Industry

Uses of silicone sealant for the rail industry

In the rail industry, silicone sealants form three major pillars of coaches: design & production, field service and maintenance. By using the silicone sealant, you can reduce manufacturing time significantly and increase overall production line efficiency by a larger margin. Due to its extensive properties, silicone sealant is found in various rail exterior and interior designs. 

Silicone sealants for rail exterior 

Silicone sealants in the rail exterior are used in the following:

1. Door Sealing 

Moisture and wind cause heavy wear and tear and reduce the life cycle of rail coaches. We must apply weatherproof silicone sealant on light rail and heavy-duty coaches to avoid such cases.

2. Sealant and adhesives for direct glazing

For years, adhesives have supported window fixtures in rail coaches. Now with silicone sealant for trains, we can attach window glass panels for various coach types.

3. Rail coach panel bonding

Bonding rail coach panels with silicone sealants results in the greatest weight reduction compared to bonding with mechanical fasteners.

4. Bonding exterior secondary components 

Bonding exterior secondary components are the most innovative adhesive upgrade. For example, antennas can be bonded with the rail coach exterior using a silicone sealant for metal during or after the assembly.

Silicone sealant for rail interior 

Silicone sealant for rail interiors poses several upgrades like fireproofing inside the coaches and noise cancelling, among many others. Some of the practical uses of silicone sealants for rail interior are:

1. Interior floor bonding

Special adhesives are advised to use for interior floor bonding. This ensures better grip between the vehicle surface and floor mats and may also contribute to fire safety.

2. Seat bonding 

For comfort travel, seat upholstery is bonded with rail coaches’ ground. Silicone sealants for metal are also responsible for good visual appeal and noise-free seat bonding.

3. Secondary interior bonding

Silicone sealant trains are also used to interior bond elements such as poles, handles, or fans. 

Requirements of silicone sealant for the rail industry

Rail coaches are exposed to harsh weather conditions, wear and tear, and continuous use. Therefore, silicone sealant manufacturers must meet stricter economic & environmental requirements for their products. These can be-

Strength: Sealants passing rail industry norms should have higher strength durability than welded bonding structures. A durable silicone sealant must also bear higher shock resistivity for a safer, smoother journey.

Environmental resistance: Silicone sealant for trains should withstand environmental conditions. Tackling Fire, UV, wind, and frost, advanced sealants like waterproof silicone sealants must always be applied to the rail exterior. 

High-temperature immunity: Good-grade silicone sealants and adhesives can be ranged anywhere from -60℃ to 230℃ of heat resistance. 

Electric insulation: Besides mechanical shocks, it is paramount for silicone sealant to insulate rail components from electrical conduction. 

Cost & time efficiency: The rail industry runs around the clock, which means time equals money here. That’s why silicone sealant should be fast and cost-efficient. But all this must go hand in hand without compromising on quality. 

Visual appeal: Trains, light rails, or underground metros are condensed with many commuters. This means visual appeal shouldn’t be avoided. Fortunately, silicone sealant for the rail industry forms a clean, equal surface, giving the required aesthetics.

How silicone sealants compare with their alternatives

There are many advantages of using silicone sealants in the rail industry. They are lighter in weight and visually aesthetic compared to metal welded bonds. Some of the other notable perks of using silicone sealants include-

1. Eco-friendly

Despite being chemical, silicone sealants and adhesives are non-toxic combustion products. They are non-toxic, non-isocyanates solvents and leave little to no harmful residual.

2. Numerous applications

Silicone sealant for metal requires less labour than metal welding and bonding. Their application branches are also broader: windows, panels, doors, ground surface, etc. 

3. Strength

With a low compression set of < 1%, sealants and adhesives boast a durable nature. Weatherproof silicone sealant insulates material from wind, air and vibrations; giving commuters cushioning and comfortable rides. 

Silicone sealants produce the best results for all types of seals and bonds. At Bondzil, we help you with all your concerns regarding fixings and sealings. You can check our wide variety of products available. We have general-purpose silicone sealants, waterproof silicone sealants, bathroom silicone sealants, etc. 

We provide a cost-effective, authentic and durable product range for you. If you have any queries, you can email us at [email protected] or ring us at 1800 212 6274 (India) or +91 8100041000 (International). Happy Fixing!

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