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Versatility & Durability: Rogers BISCO BF1000 Silicone Foam

With its wide range of resistance properties, customisability and durability, Rogers BISCO BF1000 is ideally suited for use in applications for customers across many of the industries that CB Frost regularly serves.

Having been founded in 1921, we have seen many innovations in material development over the last 100 plus years. Having grown alongside the rubber and plastics industry, to remain as leaders in our market, in addition to always facing the future and investing in our manufacturing processes, it’s also important for us to also stay on the pulse of high-performance materials to serve a wide range of industries. For over 30 years we have maintained a strong relationship with Rogers Corporation, acting as a UK preferred converter of their cellular silicone materials.

Rogers Corporation Logo

Rogers Corporation is recognised throughout the world as a leader in the development of plastics and elastomeric materials. Renowned for its innovation and quality, Rogers Corporation has been at the forefront of materials science for over a century, developing and manufacturing a wide range of high-performance products, serving a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, telecommunications and rail.

Through continuous research and development, Rogers Corporation has become synonymous with materials that offer exceptional reliability, durability and performance under a range of challenging conditions. By developing and introducing materials such as BISCO BF1000 silicone foam, Rogers are contributing to smarter, safer and more sustainable solutions for our customers.

Rogers BISCO BF1000 Silicone Foam

BISCO BF1000 is a high-performance, highly flame-resistance silicone foam that offers several important benefits across numerous applications and industries. With its softness, compressibility and low stress relaxation, BF1000 is commonly used for sealing, cushioning and vibration isolation applications.

Developed by Rogers Corporation, BF1000 is designed to exhibit important characteristics for versatility of use. Some of the most advantageous properties include:

High Temperature Resistance

Even when exposed to extreme temperatures, BF1000 maintains its performance and structural integrity. Capable of maintaining performance in temperatures as low as -55°C and as high as 200°C, it’s suitable for applications within industries such as automotive, aerospace or rail, where the ability to withstand regular exposure to a wide range of temperatures is essential. 

Fire resistance

Another important property of BF1000 silicone foam is its flame-retardancy. Tested to EN45545-2, the European standard for fire safety and flame retardancy in the rail industry, along with BS6853, the British safety standard, it meets strict safety requirements, maintaining its form when faced with fire and helping to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. These properties are crucial in the rail industry along with other sectors with strict fire safety requirements, including automotive, aerospace and electronics.

Compression Set Resistance

Rogers Bisco BF1000 exhibits superior compression set resistance, meaning it can withstand repeated compressions and expansions without losing its shape or cushioning capabilities. This feature is particularly important for sealing and vibration damping applications, which is vital for electrical and lighting enclosures, along with rail vehicles.

Sound and Energy Absorption

BF1000 has good sound absorption properties, making it useful for applications where noise reduction is required, such as in acoustic insulation panels in buildings, vehicles and passenger train carriages.

In addition to effective sound insulation, the material also has excellent energy absorption characteristics for shock absorption and applications where mitigating impact forces is key. BF1000 works as an effective protective padding.

Low Outgassing

With its low outgassing properties, BF1000 is highly suitable for use in sensitive electronic and aerospace applications where contamination from material degradation must be minimised to allow for the continued performance of equipment.

Durability and Customisability

With resistance against UV light, ozone and moisture, BF1000 silicone foam is highly durable, maintaining shape and performance even in harsh environmental conditions. As a result, this means a greater reduced risk of application failure, or the need for repair or replacement. 

In addition to its durability, this foam material is also highly customisable and can be easily cut, shaped and fabricated to meet design requirements for specific applications throughout different industries. At CB Frost, with our in-house manufacturing capabilities, as an approved converter of Rogers’ BISCO silicone materials, we can convert BF1000 into a range of products, including:

  • Sheeting
  • Gaskets
  • Strips/Tape
  • Washers
  • Fabrications

Overall, Rogers Bisco BF1000’s combination of high-temperature resistance, durability, safety properties, and versatile application possibilities makes it a highly valuable material across a broad spectrum of industries.

BISCO BF1000 Conversion

To discuss our manufacturing capabilities for BF1000 silicone foam, or for assistance in selecting the correct high-performance material for your application, please do contact the CB frost team today.

High Performance Silicone Foam for Rail Applications

Partnered with leading cellular silicone manufacturers, Rogers Corporation and Armacell, and utilising decades of experience in converting rubber and plastic materials, CB Frost has earned a reputation as a leading supplier of silicone foam and rubber for the Rail and Mass Transit Industry, providing materials for a wide range of applications, from door seals to seat cushions.  

What is EN45545-2?

In order to supply to the rail industry, our extensive range of rail insulation materials and products must meet the most stringent rail industry requirements for fire safety, smoke and toxicity. As well as remaining effective over a wider temperature range than most cellular silicones, our silicone foam materials comply with important industry standards, including BS6853, LUL (London Underground), NFF-16-101 and EN45545-2.

EN45545-2 is the European standard for the highest level of safety in the rail industry. As of 2018, tighter requirements have been put in place, requiring all materials and components for railway vehicles (including interior surfaces, seats and seals) to be tested to EN45545-2 standards. The key parameters of testing include ignitability, flame spread, heat release, smoke opacity and smoke toxicity. 

Our rail industry customers can rest assured that all specialist rail materials and products that we supply are comprehensively tested to ensure they comply with EN45545-2, along with a range of other industry standards.

The advantages of Silicone Foam for Rail Vehicles

Cellular silicone rubber and silicone foam are widely considered the most effective materials for a range of applications within rail vehicles due to their excellent resistance qualities that ensure long term reliability for sealing, cushioning and safety:

Flame retardancy and low smoke toxicity – As discussed, silicone foam materials for the rail industry are thoroughly tested for flame retardancy and low smoke toxicity under the European standard. As a result, they offer a safe and effective solution for many applications within rail vehicles.

Environmental resistance – Certain grades of silicone foam maintain excellent resistance to ozone and UV light and remain effective within a wide temperature range, making them ideal materials for protecting and sealing outdoor rail applications.

Compression set and sealing ability – Silicone foams also feature excellent compressibility, memory and low stress relaxation, and softness. These characteristics are advantageous for sealing and vibration isolating applications, as well as helping to provide comfort to rail passengers.

Common rail applications for EN45545-2 foam materials include:

Door Seals

The compressibility, low weight, softness and memory of BF2000 silicone foam makes it a highly suitable material for gap filling and door sealing applications within rail vehicles.

Gap Fillers

The softness, compressibility and durability of BF1000 and BF2000 silicone foams ensure that they can effectively fill and seal gaps of variable shapes and sizes.

HVAC Seals

The excellent memory, low stress relaxation and compressibility, combined with temperature range, make BF1000 and BF2000 foams ideal HVAC sealing materials, helping to reduce maintenance costs related to gasket failures.

LCD Display and Lighting Enclosure Gaskets

Silicone materials such as BF1000 and BF2000 are highly effective in protecting against the penetration of dust, moisture, air and light, providing an effective seal for LCD displays and lighting enclosures.

Seating Cushions

MF1-55 is a foam material designed to suit a wide range of cushioning applications. Tested to rail fire safety standards, it is widely fabricated for use in seating cushions, providing comfort and safety for rail passengers.

Smoke Seals

The compression set and resistance capabilities of MF1-55, BF1000 and BF2000 are well suited to smoke sealing applications, preventing the spread of smoke through rail vehicle ceiling and panel compartments.

rail industry

High Performance Rail Industry Materials

For high performance rail industry materials that comply with EN45545-2, BS6853, NFF-16-101 and London Underground safety standards, contact CB Frost. All materials are available in rolls, sheets, pads, gaskets or fabrications. 

Call +44 (0)121 773 8494 to discuss your needs and our experienced team will be happy to help you select the ideal material for your application.