Material approvals and verification of the production process in accordance with the German Rail Standard DBS 918340 by the IFO Institute for Surface Technology
Since 2017, all Deutsche Bahn suppliers operating in the field of powder coating have been required to have their in-house production control systems audited. As suppliers, powder coaters must qualify with Deutsche Bahn in accordance with the Deutsche Bahn Standard (DBS) for the supply of powder-coated external and internal components made from aluminium and steel alloys for rail vehicles.
In June 2016, Deutsche Bahn published the revised DBS 918340 terms and conditions of supply. This resulted in stricter testing criteria and more rigorous monitoring of powder coaters of rail vehicles, both nationally and internationally. The IFO Institute for Surface Technology’s laboratory, accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, carries out such material approvals in accordance with DBS 918340. Similarly, the certification body, accredited to ISO/IEC 17065, carries out surveillance audits of companies in accordance with the Deutsche Bahn standard.
DBS 918340 – Technical Terms of Supply – applies to coating powders as well as to the powder coating of the external and internal components of Deutsche Bahn AG’s rail vehicles. Product qualification relates to the respective intended area of application. A distinction is made here between interior and exterior use, as well as between decorative and technical applications. Approvals may be granted for various textures and gloss levels. Multiple qualifications for powders are also possible. Fundamental changes compared with the previous terms and conditions of supply relate to the qualification of coating materials and the tightening of test criteria for coaters. When applying powder coating, special requirements such as the shape and choice of material for the components to be coated must be taken into account. Coatability must also be ensured. Additional requirements include, amongst others, edge protection and compliance with minimum film thicknesses.
