ISSN 0335 – 3931

NF F 31 –496
French Standard
Railway Rolling Stock

Water tanks made of polyethylene

E : Railway rolling stock – Water –tanks made of polyethylene

Homologus French standard by the decision of director

general of Afnor on 5th November 1989 to be effective from
December1989.
Agreement On the date of publication of the present standard, there does
not exist any European or international standard dealing with
the same subject in the railway domain.

Analysis The present standard defines the properties, the tests such that
the conditions of homologation and of tanks of polyethylene.

Describes International Technical Thesaurus : Rolling railway stock,

water tank, product in plastic material, polyethylene, properties,
fabrication, homologation procedure, test, control, marking.

Modifications

Corrections
Railway Rolling Stock NF F 31 496
Water tanks made of polyethylene December 1989

INSTRUDCTION

The present standard is based on the technical specification material of the SNCF ST-M 496
C of July 1986.

SUMMARY

Page

1 SUBJECT AND SCOPE OF APPLICATION

2 ENVIORNMENTAL CODITIONS

3 REFERENCES

4 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MATERIAL AND COSNTITUTING

4.1 Characteristics of the material before transformation
4.2 Characteristics of the material and the constituting elements

5 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TANK

5.1 Mass and dimension
5.2 Appearance
5.3 Hydraulic characteristics
5.4 Resistance to the decelerations
5.5 Resistance to the pressure and depression during refilling

6 FABRICATION AND MOUNTING

6.1 Fabrication
6.2 Erection

7 MARKING

8 HOMOLOGATION PROCEDURE
8.1 Agreement of the manufactures
8.2 Previous approval of the tanks
8.3 Homologation of the tanks

9 CONTROL AND SUPERVISION OF THE QUALITY OF FABRICATION

10 TESTS
10.1 Nature of tests
10.2 Result of tests
10.3 Proportion of the tests
10.4 Allotment
10.5 Selecting the samples and preparation of probes

11 EXECUTION OF THE VERIFICATIONS AND TESTS OF COMPONENT

MATERIALS
11.1 Conformity of the material
11.2 Conformity of the component materials

12 EXECUTION OF VERIFICATIONS AND TESTS OF THE TANK

12.1 Mass and dimensions
12.2 Look and marking
12.3 Hydraulic characteristics
12.4 Resistance to decelerations
12.5 Pressure and depression during filling

13 DELIVERY
13.1 Packing
13.2 Labelling

14 GUARANTEE

1. SUBJECT AND SCOPE OF APPLICATION

The present standard defines the characteristics to which the water tanks made of
polyethylene must adhereto. These water tanks are destined for the water supply to the
sanitary blocks of the passenger bogies; this standard also defines conditions of their
fabrication, erection, homologation and control. The tanks must be able to contain water at
the utilisation temperature of 350 C with the exceptional increase of 700 C.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS :

The tanks are to fixed, depending on their material

– under the pavilion
- under the chassis.

Their function will have to be assured in the environmental conditions specified in the
standard NF F01-510.

3. REFERENCES

NF A 35- 573 – Stainless steel of general usage – shaded metal sheets, large
strips metal sheets.

NF A 35-574 – Stainless steel of general usage; shade II semi- products and

bars.
NF F 00-071 – Railway material in general – parts moulded in compact rubber (I)

F 01-251 – Railway rolling stock – brake unit of assembly realised with the help
of screws bolts and gudgeons.
NF F01-510 – Railway rolling stock – environmental conditions sustained or
generated by the machinery or parts embarked (I)

NF F01-802 – Railway rolling stock : classification and definition of tests.

NF F01-803 – Railway rolling stock : definition of procedures of homologation.

M88-301 – Road cisterns in reinforced plastic – Dimensioning and calculations-

NFT51-034 – Plastic determination of characters and traction.

NFT51-056 – Plastics- Method of exposure to light of a xenon arc lamp.

NFT51-063 – Plastics – Method of determination of the Volumic mass of the

products of solid state with the exclusion of alveolar products.

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MATERIAL AND CONSTITUTING ELEMENTS.

4.1 Characteristics of the Material before transformation.

In the experimental conditions described in paragraph 11.1 the polyethylene used must have
authoritical volumic mass of £ 0.0935 g/cm3

The material must be of the supply quality. In case where the tank is exposed to the natural or
artificial light, the polyethylene must be tinted in the mast, with the help of carbon black
(Proportion in mass 2/1000).

4.2 Characteristics of the material and the constituting elements.

4.2.1 Polyethylene

This characteristics are those of transformed polyethylene.

In the experimental conditions described in the paragraph 11.2, the characteristics stated in
the table – 1 must be restricted.

Table 1

Characteristics Unit Method

of tests
Volumic mass in the moulded condition (M) g/cm3 To be § 11.2.1
specified at
Volumic mass in the moulded state measured in g/cm3 the time of § 11.2.1
fabrication of series homologation
Characteristics under traction in the presentation state. MPa > 16 § 11.2.1
- Constant at the conventional threshold of drainage %
(8%) (R) > 600
- Elongation at the rupture (A)
Characteristics under traction after edging variations
with reference to the state of presentation § 11.2.2
- Constant at the conventional threshold of drainage % < 15
(8%) (DR) % < 15
- Elongation at the rupture (DA)
R
A

4.2.2 Elements of fitting

All the elements of fixtures (inserts and screws) must be in questenitic stainless steel
confirming to the prescriptions of standards and –

The preparation of the surface and fixing of the metallic inserts must be confirming to the
prescriptions of the part of documentation M88-301.

The screws must be confirming to the prescriptions of the customers’ network.

The gudgeons must be tested on the tank with the help of a liquid adhesive of ‘standard type’,
following the instructions of the part of the documentation F01-251.

The self taping screws with sockets are not allowed.

4.2.3 Joints of tightness

The shade of rubber used for the confection of the tightness joint or of BM 614 C2 shade
confirming to the prescriptions of the standard NFF 00 071.

5. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TANK

5.1 Mass and dimensions

The mass of the tank without its accessories must be equal to the mass of the tank head of the
homologed series with 2% allowance.

The shape and the dimension, particularly the thickness of the wall of the tank and the
position of inserts and the gudgeons must be conforming to those indicated on drawings.

5.2 Appearance

The tank, examined under the experimental conditions described in the paragraph 12.2 must
not present any defect such as fishers, scratches, air bubble inclusions, lesser thickness etc.

Some light defects inherent to the method of fabrication are always tolerated. Their cut and
number must not craps those observed on the tank heading the homologue series.

5.3 Hydraulic characteristics

In the experimental conditions described in Para 12.3. The tank must neither leak not present
any fisher, of coming off or plastic deformation after application of following minimum
constraints.

Pressure of 0.30 bar maintained per 1 min.

Pressure of 0.10 bar maintained for 2 hrs.

5.4 Resistance to the decelerations

In the experimental conditions described in Para 12.4, the tank and its support must resist
without fail to the stress corresponding to a deceleration of 3 g.

5.5 Resistance to the pressure and depression during refilling

The diameter and the arrangement of various connecting pipes (supply, discharge, event)
must be such as give in the experimental conditions described in the paragraphs 12.5 :

- The static pressure in the tank be lesser than 0.15 bar

- The depression in the tank should not be in any case more than 0.03 bars. According to the
conception of tanks an anti-depression device may be necessary.

6 FABRICATION AND MOUNTING

6.1 Fabrication

6.1.1 Moulding of the tank

The tank must be moulded by rotation or by any other procedure permitting to obtain a
hollow one piece body, of regular thickness without ulterior resumption.

6.1.2 Borings and tapings

The borings and the tapings are executed using the calibre to ensure correct positioning and
interchangeability of the accessories. The manufacturer ensures the absence of shavings by
machine finishing the interior of the tanks.

6.1.3 Retouching

The manufacturer must not carry out the retouching or repairs without previously having
obtained the consent by agreement from the customer’s network.

6.2 Erection

The flexible connections must be given between the tank and the rigid elements.
- The shins in rubber, of shade B 610 C2 conforming to the prescription of the standard NFF
00 071, on the right side of the supporting points.

- Flexible tubes between the tank and the accessories of the rigid pipes conforming to the
customer’s network.

The tank being fixed in a rigid armature dependent on the body, the device of fixation must
not bring any deformation.

7. MARKING

The tank must carry indelible characters on a side apparent after the erection.

- The mark of the manufacturer

- The date of manufacture (month and last two digits of the date)
- The number of order in the series.
- The symbol of the tank if imposed by the customer.
- The hollow engraving is not allowed.

8. HOMOLOGATION PROCEDURE

8.1 Agreement of the Manufacturers

The tank relevant the standard must only come from manufacturers accepted by the
customer’s network.

8.2 Previous approval of the tanks

Before the manufacture of complete series, the manufacturer has to present a prototype for the
approval of the customer network. The method of transformation and the material used will
have to be specified. Besides a certificate of a laboratory approved by the Minister of Health
attesting the supply quality of the polyethylene will have to be produced.

The prototype approved by the customer’s network is presented to the provisional

homologation for the tank heading a series.

8.3 Homologation of the tanks

The homologation procedure is defined in the standard NF F 01-803. The acceptance by the
customer’s network of the launching of series fabrication is subordinated to the provisory
homologation of the tank. This provisory homologation is pronounced only if the conclusion
of the type tests carried out on the tank series head is positive.

A document of characteristics is established by the fabricator after the type tests. It gives :

- the type tests results;

- the material used,
- the transformation mode;
- the tank mass.
It is submitted to approval of the client network that conserves it.

This tank, lead coated by the customer’s network is conserved by the manufacturer all the
time when the tank is homologued.

The final homologation can only be pronounced when the tanks manufactured in series have
assured on the vehicles a service for 2 years without failure.

9 CONTROL AND SUPERVISION OF THE QUALITY OF FABRICATION

The supplier must start an organisation, some methods and some ways enabling it to ensure
the quality of the fabrications and the control of the supplies destined for the clients network.

The clients network is assured by the specific actions of audit, supervision or control, carried
out in the establishments of the supplier with the efficiency of the devices commissioned.

The intervention modalities by the clients network according to his own regulations are
specified in the order.

10 TESTS

10.1 Nature of Tests

The table 2 enumerates the tests and verifications to be carried out in all the cases by the
supplier and indicate their nature.

These tests and verifications are grouped according to their nature in :

- type tests
- series tests
defined by the std.

10.1.1 Type tests

The type tests are for verifying the conformity of the product to the definition. The nature and
consistence of the type tests is defined by this std, eventually completed by the specific
documents (drawing, notices etc)

The products tested during the type test must be representative of the fabrication series.

The type tests are carried out under the supplier’s responsibility. They can be carried out only
after the network client’s approval on the mediums of starting place of carrying them out.

They are followed on the whole by the client representatives.

10.1.2 Series tests

The series tests are for verifying the consistency of the technical characteristics and carried
out by the supplier on each fabrication lot.
The series tests can be carried out, except in case of contrary arrangements to the order,
without the presence of client network representative in any case, the results of the tests are
communicated or held by him.

10.2 Result of tests

Any non-conforming test result implies :

- in case of type tests, an eventual remission of the homologation and if it takes place, refusal
of the corresponding lot;
- in case of the series tests, refusal of the corresponding lot.

10.3 Proportion of the tests

The proportions of the tests as well as their frequency of application are indicated in table 2.

The clients network reserves the right to carry out the verification on each of the
characteristics by sensing mentioned in table 2, on the supply of the series.

The type of series tests can be retaken completely or in parts on demand of the client’s
network under the title of sensing, for verifying the quality of fabrications and particularly :

- in case of deviation of the fabrication quality.

- after a modification of the fabrication process or the nature of product.
- after an interruption of the fabrications destined for the clients network for more than 2
years.
- following the incidents in service putting the product quality at stake.

10.4 Allotment

The tanks of the same types, composition, same characteristics being part of the same
fabrication field and issued from the same material form a lot.

10.5 Selecting the samples & preparation of probes

The tanks for tests are selected at random in the presentation state in each lot.

The probes for verifying the volumic mass are chosen in all the thickness of the tank wall, at a
precised place during homologation.

The dimensions of the probes are indicated in table 2. The probes for verifying the resistance
to traction, after ageing are expected to light, in the conditions described in the std NF T 51-
056, for 72 hr.

Table 2
 Nature of verifications Para Forms dimensions of the No. of probes
probes or reference
standard Type test Series
test
Conformity of polyethylene 11.1 Material certificate 1
Verification of the mass in 11.2. As per the method A of 3
Component materials

moulded state 1 the std. NF T 51-063 on 3 (1)

the transformed material
(tank)
Verification of the characteristics 11.2. As per the std. NF T 51-
in traction : 2 034.
Constraints of sill of flow and Probes of ISO type,
elongation to rupture : distance between tags 50
- in presentation state mm selected on the tank. 5 5 (1)
- after ageing 5
Verification of the mass and 12.1 Tank itself 1 Unitary
dimensions. control
Verification of the look and 12.2 Tank itself 1 Unitary
marking. control
Hydraulic tests : 12.3 Tank itself
0.15 bar pressure for 2 hr. 1 Unitary
Tanks

control
0.30 bar pressure for 1 min 1 1 tank on
20
Verification of the resistance to 12.4 Tank itself 1
decelerations.
Verification of pressure & 12.5 Tank itself 1
depressing during filling up
A verification is carried out by material lot, and atleast every 6 months if it consists of the same
material lot

11 EXECUTION OF THE VERIFICATIONS & TESTS OF COMPONENT

MATERIALS

1.1 Conformity of the material

The volumic theoretical mass determines as per the disposition of the std. NF T 51-063
(Method A) must be conforming to the regulations of the para 4.1. The manufacturer must
supply, with each lot of tanks, a certificate indicating :

- the exact reference of the material;

- the lot no. of fabrication of the material;
- name of material supplier
- colour code

11.2 Conformity of the component materials

11.2.1 Volumic mass at the moulded state of the polyethylene

The volumic mass in the moulded state is determined as per the dispositions of the standard
NF T 51-063 (Method A) on the transformed material (tank).

The arithmetic average of the results, on 3 measures must be conforming to the regulations of
the para 4.2.1.

11.2.2 Characteristics in traction

The constraint in traction at the conventional threshold of flowing (8%) and elongation due to
rupture are verified on the probes in the presentation state or aged conforming to the
indications of the para 10.5.

They are determined as per the dispositions of the standard NF T 51-034.

The probe, selected on a tank, is of ISO type, the distance between the tags is 50 mm. The
traction speed is equal to 5 mm/min.

The arithmetic average of the results obtained on 5 probes must be as per the regulations of
the para 4.2.1

12 EXECUTION OF VERIFICATIONS & TESTS OF THE TANK

12.1 Mass & dimensions

The mass & dimensions of the tanks are verified with the help of usual measuring
instruments, appropriated in the order of required size and precision level.

The verification of the positioning of the inserts and gudgeons is carried out with control
calibres agreed by the client network.

The results must be as per the regulations of the para 5.1.

12.2 Look and Marking

The tanks are submitted to a visual examination. In the case of non-tinted tanks in the mass,
this test is facilitated by placing a luminous source (of which the intensity corresponds atleast
to that of an incandescent lamp of 100 W) inside the tank, to allow observing the partitions by
transparence.

The look must be as per the regulations of the para 5.2.

The marking must be as per the regulations of the chapter 7.

12.3 Hydraulic characteristics

The tank is fixed in a device reproducing its mounting on the material to which it is destined.
The pressure test at 0.30 bar is carried out, either on a tank without its accessories (obtained
orifices), either on a rough tank of moulded (non-detoured orifices).

The water tightness test at 0.15 bar is carried out on a finished tank, equipped with all its
accessories.

For these two tests, the increase in pressure must be sensitively equal to 0.15 bar/min.

The results must be as per the regulations of the para 5.3

12.4 Resistance to decelerations

The tanks filled to 3/4th of its capacity, is fixed in a device reproducing its mounting on the
material to which it is destined. The deceleration direction is parallel to the longitudinal
access of the vehicle.

The application device of the deceleration proposed by the manufacturer must be approved by
the client network.

The use of the device represented in figure 1 is recommended.

The result must be as per the regulations of the para 5.4.

The following principle is used :

The tank containing water is placed on a wagon (total wagon mass + tank + water = M). The
wagon covers a distance & by rolling, an inclined plane of an angle µ on the horizontal and
comes to rest on a spring of rigidity K.

So that the deceleration provoked be of 3 g, the ramp must be such that :

2 k. l. Sin µ + g. svi2 µ = 9 g
m

12.5 Pressure and Depression during filling

The tank is fixed in a device reproducing its mounting on the material to which it is destined.
It must be considered particularly :

- the tank height in the vehicle;

- the diameter & arrangement of the joining pipelines.

The result must be conforming to the regulations of para 5.5.

12.5.1 Measure of the pressure

The tank is supplied with a supply of 9 m3/h. The pressure in the tank is measured during the
filling phase (maximum pressure at the end of filling).

12.5.2 Measure of the depression

The tank being full, continue supplying at 9 m3/h. When water flows regularly by the
evacuation pipe, the vent pipe or simultaneously through the two, the supply is cut and the
depression produced with the help of an apparatus allow to register the rapid variations of
pressure which can take place.

13 DELIVERY

13.1 Packing

The packing of the tanks must assure their protection against any deterioration during
transport. Particularly, it must be assured that the gudgeons cannot be damaged.

13.2 Labelling

Each despatch is accompanied by a label, properly fixed, carrying the following indications :

- the name / company name of the manufacturer, in all letters.

- receiver
- order no.
- tank nos.
- no. of tanks
- article designation
- tank symbol if it takes place or drawing no.

14 GUARANTEE

The guarantee schedule is fixed to 2 years. The guarantee is applied to the properly called
tank. Particularly it covers all the susceptible losses produced. For the tanks equipping a new
material, the date of start of guarantee is the one figuring on the authorisation of coming out
of the vehicle.

In case of storage of the tanks, they will have to be disposed flatly on palette, and protected
from daylight & artificial light.