New Brake Block Enables Rail Freight Wagons to Meet EU Noise Legislation
Replacement for cast iron blocks extends the useable service life of more than 400,000 freight wagons in Europe
Glinde, Germany, October 5th … Federal-Mogul Motorparts, a division of Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: FDML), presented Jurid 847, a new LL brake block that enables freight wagons, originally equipped with cast iron blocks, to comply with EU TSI Noise legislation, at InnoTrans in Berlin. The new friction formulation reduces the noise of these in-service freight wagons to meet legal limits, providing a solution for over 400,000 affected wagons in Europe. Together with Jurid 822, a new K-block solution for state-of-the-art, single-sided 1xBgu brake wagons, the company exhibited two novel rail braking solutions at the trade fair.
“Jurid 847 is a vital solution provided at a critical time - the new LL block enables almost half a million wagons to remain in active service, when they would have otherwise had operation restrictions or even prohibited entry to some European countries,” said Martin Hendricks, President Global Braking and Regional President EMEA, Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “It’s a win-win situation. People living close to rail lines are less disturbed by noise emissions and rail operators can extend the life of their existing fleet.”
The LL blocks are interchangeable with the original cast iron blocks, maintaining the same friction coefficient while reducing noise. It provides an environmentally friendly OE solution to an issue raised when UIC and TSI legislation was announced in 2006. Furthermore, from 2020 the old cast iron block-equipped wagons will not be allowed into Switzerland, but Jurid 847 negates this ruling by meeting the requirements.
“Analysis during an extensive R&D period has led to an optimized block design, which shortens the bedding-in phase to increase efficiency and reduces the level of wheel and block wear while providing a stable friction coefficient,” explained Gernot Kasper, Director Global Rail & Industry, Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “Reliable service is crucial for freight operators, and the extended life cycle of wheels and brake blocks using Jurid 847 is a vital competitive advantage, both in terms of dependability and expensive, unscheduled downtime.”
The new product is currently undergoing the final approval stages and will complete 60,000 km of rigorous testing before the final certification and commercialisation, which is expected by early 2017.
About Federal-Mogul
Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: FDML) is a leading global supplier of products and services to the world’s manufacturers and servicers of vehicles and equipment in the automotive, light, medium and heavy-duty commercial, marine, rail, aerospace, power generation and industrial markets. The company’s products and services enable improved fuel economy, reduced emissions and enhanced vehicle safety.
Federal-Mogul operates two independent business divisions, each with a chief executive officer reporting to Federal-Mogul's Board of Directors.
Federal-Mogul Motorparts sells and distributes a broad portfolio of products through more than 20 of the world’s most recognized brands in the global vehicle aftermarket, while also serving original equipment vehicle manufacturers. The company’s aftermarket brands include BERU®* ignition systems; Champion®lighting, spark plugs, wipers and filters; Interfil®filters; AE®, Fel-Pro®, FP Diesel®, Goetze®, Glyco®, Nüral®, Payen®and Sealed Power®engine products; MOOG®chassis components; and Ferodo®, Jurid®and Wagner®brake products and lighting.
Federal-Mogul Powertrain designs and manufactures original equipment powertrain components and systems protection products for automotive, heavy-duty, industrial and transport applications.
Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899 and maintains its worldwide headquarters in Southfield, Michigan. The Company has more than 53,000 employees globally. For more information, please visit www.FMMotorparts.com
*BERU is a registered trademark of BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH
