BS EN 14535-3-2015 PDF

Full title and description

BS EN 14535-3:2015 — Railway applications — Brake discs for railway rolling stock — Part 3: Brake discs, performance of the disc and the friction couple, classification. This document (the British adoption of EN 14535-3) specifies the type-test procedures and classification system used to assess the thermal and mechanical performance of brake discs together with their defined friction couple (brake disc and mating brake pad) for railway rolling stock.

Abstract

Part 3 of EN 14535 establishes performance test methods and classification criteria for brake discs used on railway vehicles. It describes test sequences that simulate service loading (energy conversion and dissipation), ventilation behaviour, and checks on mechanical integrity in order to classify a particular disc-and-pad combination for defined application classes. The standard is intended to support type-approval and comparative assessment rather than to prescribe fitment for a specific vehicle.

General information

• Status: Confirmed (British adoption of EN 14535-3); listed as a harmonized European standard (hEN) in relation to railway interoperability documents.
• Publication date: EN 14535-3 issued in 2015; published as BS EN 14535-3:2015 (BS adoption published 31 January 2016).
• Publisher: British Standards Institution (BSI) — identical to EN 14535-3:2015 (CEN as originator of the EN).
• ICS / categories: 45.060.01 — Railway rolling stock in general.
• Edition / version: EN 14535-3:2015; adopted as BS EN 14535-3:2015 (first BSI adoption/publication 31 Jan 2016).
• Number of pages: 32 pages (BS edition).

Scope

The standard specifies type-test procedures to determine and classify the performance of brake discs in conjunction with a defined brake pad (the friction couple). Tests cover thermal energy absorption and dissipation, temperature development under representative braking cycles, ventilation characteristics affecting cooling, and mechanical checks for integrity and wear behaviour. It is applicable to brake discs intended for railway vehicles and is used to classify disc/pad combinations into defined application classes; it does not alone determine suitability for a specific vehicle installation, which may require additional validation.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of test cycles to simulate service energy input and to assess energy conversion and dissipation performance.
• Measurement of temperature response and thermal behaviour during and after braking sequences.
• Ventilation and cooling characteristics assessment, including influence of disc geometry and mounting.
• Mechanical integrity checks: deformation, cracking, and wear limits under defined loads.
• Classification scheme for brake disc / brake pad combinations based on measured performance.
• Requirements for test arrangement, instrumentation, and reporting to ensure reproducible classification.

Typical use and users

Used by railway vehicle manufacturers, brake component and brake-disc suppliers, independent testing laboratories, conformity assessment bodies, vehicle integrators, maintenance organisations and procurement teams who need objective, comparable classification data for brake discs and disc/pad combinations during design, selection, procurement and type-approval activities.

Related standards

EN 14535 is a multipart series; immediately related parts are EN 14535-1 (brake discs pressed or shrunk onto the axle or drive shaft — dimensions and quality requirements) and EN 14535-2 (brake discs mounted onto the wheel — dimensions and quality requirements). Other railway braking and vehicle standards (national implementations and later revisions of parts 1 and 2) are commonly used alongside Part 3 for design and verification.

Keywords

Brake disc, brake discs, railway applications, railway rolling stock, friction couple, brake pad, classification, performance testing, type test, thermal behaviour, ventilation, mechanical integrity, BS EN 14535-3:2015.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: BS EN 14535-3:2015 is the British-adopted version of EN 14535-3:2015; it specifies test procedures and a classification system for brake discs used on railway rolling stock, assessing the disc together with its defined brake pad (the friction couple).

Q: What does it cover?

A: Part 3 covers performance testing (thermal and mechanical) and the classification of brake disc / brake pad combinations, including simulated service braking cycles, temperature measurements, ventilation/cooling behaviour and mechanical integrity checks. It provides classification results used for comparative assessment and type-approval activities.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of brake discs and brake pads, rolling stock manufacturers, testing laboratories, conformity assessment bodies, procurement and maintenance organisations involved with railway braking systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published, EN 14535-3 carries the 2015 date and the BS adoption was published 31 January 2016. Sources list the BS adoption as "confirmed" and the EN as harmonized in the European context; parts 1 and 2 of EN 14535 have later revisions (2019) while Part 3 remains referenced as EN 14535-3:2015 in public catalogues. Users should confirm the standard’s current status with the national standards body or BSI before formal use.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — EN 14535 is a multipart standard. Part 1 and Part 2 cover dimensional and quality requirements for different mounting arrangements (axle/drive-shaft mounted discs and wheel-mounted discs respectively); Part 3 addresses performance testing and classification of the disc and friction couple.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Brake disc, friction couple, brake pad, railway rolling stock, performance testing, classification, thermal dissipation, ventilation, mechanical integrity, BS EN 14535-3:2015.