Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Middle East Foam & Polyurethane
  • UTECH Asia/PU China
  • UTECH Europe
  • UTECH Las Americas
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Ukraine
  • News
    • Asia
    • Americas
    • Europe
    • M & A
    • Financial results
    • Automotive
  • Data
  • Information
    • Country Overview
    • Market Sector overviews
    • Technical articles
    • Company profiles and strategies
  • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Conferences
    • Webinars / Livestreams
    • Become a Speaker
    • UTECH Europe 2021
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Issues
  • Subscribe
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
May 28, 2019 12:00 AM

Polyurethane gives tram-makers greater flexibility

Simon Robinson
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Kassel, Germany – The new face of trams in Berlin, Adelaide and Seattle relies on flame retardant flexible polyurethane components.

    Hubner, which has been using the material for 30 years, makes the components. The company prefers polyurethane because it is 'highly robust and highly flexible.' The grade used is not truly elastic, it takes a few seconds for the foamed material to return to its original shape. This is important because it influences the Head Impact Criterion (HIC) in pedestrian safety.

    An informal hardness test

    On the HIC scale 850 means slight injuries in collision and 1300 is likely to be fatal.

    Traditional fibre-reinforced materials have a HIC value of at least 1200, polyurethane materials are in the 600-650 range, said Hubner. In addition, the company said that the polyurethane construction does not splinter and there is no damage from flying fragments. The front-ends comply with EN45545 a European standard for flammability on the railways.

    Finally, polyurethane offers designers a great deal of flexibility. This enables complex construction and it is possible to integrate fittings.

    Recommended for You
    Polynt announces North American coatings capacity expansion
    Polynt announces North American coatings capacity expansion
    Brugg Huntsman Partnership
    PU replaces PE in flexible, pre-insulated pipes for heat pumps
    Buxton Town Centre
    Here's to you, Simon Robinson
    Latest Issue
    April/May 2022 issue
    Click HERE for Free Download
    View All Archives
    Get our newsletters

    Breaking news and in-depth coverage of essential topics delivered straight to your inbox.

    Subscribe today

    Register to access our archive of leading information on the polyurethanes industry.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube

    Follow us on social media for the latest polyurethanes industry news and event updates.

    Logo
    Contact Us

    Crain Communications
    11, Ironmonger Lane
    London
    EC2V 8EY
    United Kingdom

    Editorial
    Phone +44 (0) 20 3287 5935
    Email click to send

    Customer Service
    Phone +1 313 446 0450
    Email click to send

    Resources
    • Advertise with Us
    • Media Kit
    • Staff
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Ukraine
    • News
      • Asia
      • Americas
      • Europe
      • M & A
      • Financial results
      • Automotive
    • Data
    • Information
      • Country Overview
      • Market Sector overviews
      • Technical articles
      • Company profiles and strategies
    • Events
      • Exhibitions
      • Conferences
      • Webinars / Livestreams
      • Become a Speaker
      • UTECH Europe 2021
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Issues
    • Subscribe