How to Select a Rail Seat Cushion Material Top 4 Factors

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When passengers settle into their seats for a long train journey, their comfort largely depends on the materials used in the seat cushion. An uncomfortable, saggy, or overly firm seat can lead to hours of discomfort.

But what if the seat provided the perfect balance of support and cushioning, making every mile more enjoyable?

Seats on a train with blue cushions

This comfort doesn't just happen by chance—it's the result of careful material selection and engineering.

In this blog, we’ll explore the four key factors that rail car design engineers should consider when choosing seat cushions.

We’ll also explain why BISCO® MF1® silicone bun stands out as a premium solution, offering passengers superior comfort, safety, and long-term durability.

Top 4 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Rail Car Seat Cushions

1. Safety

Does the Material Meet Industry Flame, Smoke, and Toxicity (FST) Standards?

Rail car seat cushions must comply with stringent flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST) standards to protect passengers in case of a fire. Materials should comply with regulations like FAR 25.853, which require minimal smoke and toxic emissions during a fire. This is essential for safe evacuation in emergency situations.

Is the Material Resistant to Vandalism or Damage?

Flame, smoke, toxicity, and other safety standards are especially important to consider in the event of seat damage or vandalism. For instance, if an object punctures the seat's textile or top layer, it could release toxic gases in a fire.

Bonus: BISCO MF1 silicone meets all flame, smoke, and toxicity requirements, even if the seat’s surface layer is damaged or vandalized, further reducing risk.

2. 长期性能

How Well Does a Material Maintain its Form Over Time?

Rail seats endure constant use, so it’s critical that the cushion material resists sagging or permanent compression. Materials must be able to withstand repeated sitting and shifting around without degrading. Compression set and stress relaxation values are key indicators of long-term performance; the lower these values, the better the material retains its shape.

Bonus: BISCO MF1 silicone offers excellent compression set resistance, ensuring seat cushions maintain their shape long-term with only 3% height loss after 500,000 cycles compared to 11% for standard polyurethane (PU).

3. Comfortability

Is the Material Both Comfortable and Ergonomic?

Passenger comfort is at the heart of rail car seat design. The seat cushion material should offer adequate support to minimize fatigue and discomfort during long journeys. Ergonomic design is also important—the material should conform to the passenger's body, distributing weight evenly to prevent pressure point pain.

Bonus: BISCO MF1 silicone is available in three grades—MF-1-35 (soft), MF-1-55 (medium), and MF-1-75 (firm)—allowing for flexibility in seat design while ensuring optimal comfort and support.

Additionally, our long-term partnership with railcar OEMs, seat manufacturers, our Preferred Converters network, and Royersford Springs, PA, U.S. (manufacturer of spring and board assemblies), helps us to stay ahead of new trends and ensure long-term comfort for passengers in railways.

4. Environmental and Sustainability Factors

Does the Material Meet Your Sustainability Goals?

Environmental impact and sustainability are increasingly important for both design engineers and passengers. Consider choosing a material with a long lifespan to minimize waste and reduce the need for frequent replacements, supporting sustainability goals.

Bonus: BISCO MF1 silicone’s durability and long service life contribute to a lower total cost of ownership (TCO). The extended lifespan means fewer refurbishments are required, helping to reduce waste and operate more sustainably. Check out this TCO calculator.

Why Choose BISCO® MF1 Bun Silicone for Rail Seat Cushions?

BISCO MF1 silicone has been trusted for decades in rail seat applications for its unmatched performance, safety, and durability. Here’s why it’s the top choice for rail seat cushions:

Proven Long-Term Performance: Available in three density grades (MF-1-35, MF-1-55, MF-1-75), BISCO MF1 material offers tailored cushioning solutions to meet a variety of seating needs. Its durability has been backed by positive customer feedback from rail seat manufacturers worldwide.
Thin Foam Thickness: BISCO MF1 silicone delivers superior performance even with the thinnest foam layers, meeting both industry standards and customer requirements. When paired with flexible membrane suspension or ergonomically designed seating structures, the thin BISCO MF1 layers significantly enhance load-deflection curves for superior comfort.
Flammability Compliance: Unlike other materials, BISCO MF1 contains no halogenated materials. We continuously test the material to ensure compliance with global rail industry standards, including EN 45545 and NFPA 130.
Environmentally Safe: These materials are produced without the use of toxic chemical blowing agents. Instead, the cells are formed using inert hydrogen, which has no impact on the environment.
Extended Warranty: BISCO MF1 foam comes with an extended warranty of up to 10 years for firmness and thickness retention when properly designed into rail seating applications. In practice, it often lasts even longer, making it a cost-effective and reliable solution for the global rail market.
Customizable for Any Seat Design: Available in virtually any bun size, BISCO MF1 silicone can be easily cut-to-shape (skived) by Rogers Preferred Converters to fit any seat design, offering flexibility in rail car seat manufacturing.

要点

Engineers should consider four critical factors when selecting rail car seat materials: safety, long-term performance, comfort, and sustainability. BISCO MF1 silicone excels in all these areas, offering long-lasting durability, compliance with safety standards, and customizable options to fit any design. Its thin foam layers and extended 10-year warranty make it the leading choice for rail seat cushions worldwide.

Ready to enhance your rail seating solutions? Contact a Rogers Sales Engineer or explore more of the benefits BISCO MF1 has to offer.