Composites manufacturer Exel Composites has confirmed that its glass fibre fish plate rail joints meet the new European Standard EN16843 certification for rail joints, following testing conducted in Finland this past autumn. This milestone makes Exel the first company to achieve this certification with a composite solution.
Introduced earlier this year, EN16843 updates the EU standard for insulated and non-insulated rail joints in both stressed and unstressed tracks. The standard reflects the evolving needs of railway systems, addressing higher power levels, demanding environmental conditions, and the push for reliable, standardised solutions across Europe.
EN16843 updates the mechanical and electrical performance requirements for rail joints, which is important as they need to perform in harsh conditions such as prolonged exposure to UV radiation, moisture and significant temperature shifts. The updated standard ensures that rail joints maintain the safety and reliability of modern trains.
With over 40 years of expertise in rail joint products, Exel has perfected a simple yet robust rail joint design that uses minimal parts, ensuring easy and fast installation without the need for chemicals, detergents, or welding. The rail joints are made from the highest quality composite materials, optimised for insulation and continuously monitored during production to ensure traceability.
Exel’s in-house developed manufacturing method meets strict quality standards, producing rail joints and end posts with glass fiber solutions. Suitable for all environments, from tropical to arctic, Exel’s rail joints offer a safe and simple alternative to glued metal or wooden joints, with performance comparable to steel and significantly superior to wood and solid plastic joints.
“Our rail joints have been in use for over 40 years, with a design that has stood the test of time,” explained Heini Kloster, Product Manager at Exel Composites. “We use a laminate glass fiber composite for the joint and process everything in house, so we can create a standardised connection point.”
“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.”
To meet EN16843 requirements, Exel’s rail joints underwent third-party testing in Finland. Tensile and flexural strength as well as electrical insulation tests were performed on full rail joints installed on rails, simulating conditions far beyond the real-world average. Tensile and flexural tests simulated the mechanical stresses that rail joints face in service, including the forces exerted by passing trains and changes in track geometry.
Exel Composites insulated rail joint
Electrical testing was conducted to confirm the joints’ insulative properties, ensuring they could maintain proper function in modern electrical environments and across diverse weather conditions. Electrical tests were conducted both prior and after the mechanical tests to ensure that the insulating properties are not lost during use.
It is thought that achieving this European Standard certification will not only highlight the reliability of composites in railway infrastructure but opens doors to international opportunities.
“While EN16843 is a European Standard, they often serve as benchmarks for quality worldwide,” continued Kloster. “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. It demonstrates our readiness to support growth in markets where standardization, reliability and trustworthiness are key priorities.”
To discover how Exel’s composites can provide solutions to your own railway infrastructure challenges, visit www.exelcomposites.com/composite-solutions/composites-in-infrastructure-applications/composite-rail-solutions.
