BISCO® L3-XX40 Dynamic Flooring
BISCO® L3-XX40 is a medium-density cellular silicone foam designed for use as a vibration isolation pad in rail car floating floors, with a density of 29 lb/ft³ and a compression force deflection of 11 psi per ASTM D1056, available in four thicknesses from 0.157″ to 0.472″. The material has a temperature range of -67°F to 392°F, meets ASTM E162 for flame spread index and ASTM E662 for smoke density, and is UV and weather resistant.
Key Properties
- Compression Force Deflection: 11 psi (ASTM D1056)
- Compression Set, 22 Hours @ 212°F @ 50%: 2.4% (ASTM D1056)
- Water Absorption: 0.5%
- Density: 29 lb/ft³
- Temperature Range: -67°F to 392°F
- Flame Spread Index (Is) / Smoke Density (Ds): Meets (ASTM E162 / ASTM E662)
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- Specifications
- Applications
- General Info
- FAQs
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Thickness | 0.157″, 0.236″, 0.394″, 0.472″ | — |
| Color | Boilermaker Red | — |
| Material/Substrate | Silicone Foam | — |
| Density | 29 lb/ft³ | — |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Compression Force Deflection | 11 psi | ASTM D1056 |
| Compression Set, 22 Hours @ 212°F @ 50% | 2.4% | ASTM D1056 |
| Water Absorption | 0.5% | — |
| Low Temperature Brittleness | Pass | — |
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Temperature Range | -67°F to 392°F | — |
Flame & Fire Performance
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Flame Spread Index (Is) | Meets | ASTM E162 |
| Smoke Density (Ds) | Meets | ASTM E662 |
Environmental Performance
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| UV Resistant | Pass | — |
| Weather Resistant | Pass | — |
- Rail car floating floor vibration isolation pads requiring a cellular silicone foam with low compression set and a defined CFD for predictable load-deflection performance across the floor assembly
- Mass transit vehicle flooring systems where vibration damping and passenger comfort are primary design objectives
- Vibration isolation strips within rail car floor substrates and other mass transit structural assemblies
- Rail and transit applications requiring a silicone foam with documented flame spread index and smoke density performance per ASTM E162 and E662
- Vibration isolation pad applications in transit environments requiring UV and weather resistance across a service range of -67°F to 392°F
Common industries: Rail, mass transit.
BISCO® L3-XX40 is a medium-density cellular silicone foam specifically designed for vibration isolation pad applications in rail car floating floors and mass transit vehicles. Available in four thicknesses — 0.157″, 0.236″, 0.394″, and 0.472″ — it is engineered to isolate and damp structural vibrations transmitted through the floor assembly, enhancing passenger comfort in railway and mass transit environments.
The Boilermaker Red color is characteristic of this grade. Excellent vibration isolation and dampening is stated as the primary performance attribute on the TDS.
The material achieves a compression set of 2.4% at 22 hours, 212°F, 50% deflection per ASTM D1056 — indicating strong resistance to permanent deformation under sustained compressive load at elevated temperature. Water absorption is 0.5%. Low temperature brittleness passes. UV resistance and weather resistance both pass.
The flame spread index (Is) meets ASTM E162 and smoke density (Ds) meets ASTM E662 — no numeric index values are listed on the TDS for either property, only the “Meets” designation. The material handles extreme temperatures across its rated range of -67°F to 392°F.
No compliance standards are specified on the manufacturer’s TDS for this material.
What differentiates BISCO® L3-XX40 from other cellular silicone foam grades?
L3-XX40 is specifically designed for floating floor vibration isolation in rail car applications — a dedicated end-use not shared by other cellular silicone foam grades in the BISCO® series. It is available in four thicknesses (0.157", 0.236", 0.394", 0.472") sized for floor assembly integration, carries a distinctive Boilermaker Red color for identification in rail flooring systems, and achieves a compression set of 2.4% at 22 hours, 212°F, 50% per ASTM D1056 — supporting long-term dimensional stability under sustained floor loading. The material meets ASTM E162 flame spread index and ASTM E662 smoke density requirements relevant to transit interior environments.
Why is compression set critical for a silicone foam vibration isolation pad used in rail car floating floors?
In a floating floor system, the silicone foam pad is installed under sustained compressive load from the floor structure and passenger loading above it. Compression set determines whether the pad maintains its designed thickness — and therefore its designed deflection stiffness and vibration isolation characteristics — over the service life of the vehicle. A high compression set means the pad permanently flattens under floor load, reducing the air gap and compliance in the isolation layer and degrading the vibration attenuation performance the system was designed to provide. L3-XX40's compression set of 2.4% at 22 hours, 212°F, 50% per ASTM D1056 confirms that the material maintains its geometry under sustained thermal and compressive loading representative of in-service rail car floor conditions.
What is the temperature range for BISCO® L3-XX40?
The temperature range is -67°F to 392°F as listed on the TDS.
Is BISCO® L3-XX40 suitable for regulated rail or transit environments?
No compliance standards are specified on the manufacturer's TDS for this material. The TDS states that the material meets ASTM E162 (flame spread index) and ASTM E662 (smoke density) without providing specific numeric index values. End-users should independently verify suitability for specific program or regulatory requirements.
How should BISCO® L3-XX40 be specified?
Specify grade (L3XX40SIL), thickness (0.157", 0.236", 0.394", or 0.472"), color (Boilermaker Red), dimensional tolerances, and finished format (sheet stock, slit roll, or die-cut pad/strip).
