Physico-Chemical Analysis

Contribute to the type approval process of adhesive films and paints and to application conditions.

Tests objectives :

• Validate anti-corrsion paints (salt spray, corrosion fatigue)
• Qualify railway paints according to a given standard
• Conduct accelerated and normal ageing tests at specific sites
• Conduct tests on rail vehicles used in revenue service
• Characterize tags
• Study and develop representative inks – in order to test anti-tag coatings and cleaning products
• Provide advice on paint processes following expert analysis

Tests facilities :

• Specific sites in which tests are performed (laboratories or paint booths)
• Simulation tool for accelerated ageing (ARTACC)
• Folding and quartering tools
• Impact test equipment (to check paint behaviour)

Testing norms :

NF F19-201 – Paint materials and markings – General instructions and test methods

NF F31-112 – Protection in relation to graffiti – Tests procedures and methods of evaluation, behaviour of materials and removal products

EN 13261+A1 – Wheelsets and Bogies – Axles – Product requirements

STM N 805/807/808

NF F 19-481 – Railway rolling stock – Self adhesive labels

NF F 19-223 – Railway rolling stock – Paint systems for protecting axle shafts

Proposing the most suitable lubricant in relation to conditions of use and assessing the potential life span of lubricated rolling stock components in service.

Tests objectives :

• Qualify lubricants
  • Determine potential life
  • Check new products for commissioning
  • Set up test equipment on a maintenance site in order to monitor part and component wear
  • Perform on-site assistance
  • Conduct failure analysis
  • Dispense training in axle box grease expertise
  • Increase potential

Tests facilities :

• • Bearing test rigs (R2F and ROPECS)
  • Cone penetration, dropping point,
  moisture content
  • Viscometer
  • Acidity measuring device
  • DSC – Differential Scanning Calorimetry
  • X-ray fluorescence
  • Plasma
  • Rheology
  • Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)

Accreditations :

ISO/IEC 17025 awarded by COFRAC

Testing norms :

Applicable standards according to customer requirements

Reduce environmental impact of cleaning products while optimizing their quality and efficiency.

Tests objectives :

• Qualify products
• Develop dose calculation methods and product quality control
• Establish compatibility between products and materials
• Characterize physical and chemical properties of products: Mass per unit volume, outflow time, etc.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of cleaning products
• Develop test in revenue service conditions
• Give technical assistance and expert assessments on cleaning processes

Tests facilities :

• Viscometer
• Flash point
• Foaming power
• Soaking bench
• Car wash test bench
• Cleanability
• Tensiometer
• X-ray fluorescence
• X-ray diffraction
• ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma)
• Infrared equipment

Testing norms :

STM N601 – Qualification procedure for cleaning and sanitation products

STM C702 – Additive product used in retention toilets