The High Performance Foams Division of Rogers Corp. has created an online design guide that helps designers select the proper Rogers BISCO® Silicones for use in railcar floating floor designs and systems. Use of the Floating Floor Online Design Guide will assist transportation engineers and designers in quickly evaluating options for materials that meet their specific design needs.

Railcar floating floors are engineered to provide passengers with a comfortable, quiet and aesthetically pleasing interior environment by mitigating structural and airborne noises and motion vibration. Anti-vibration pads placed under (or onto) the flooring substrate are a key element in a floating floor design. Rogers BISCO Silicone foam materials, including the ongoing customization and expansion of the BISCO L3 offerings, are designed to meet the unique performance requirements of railcar flooring systems. Silicone open cell foams meet the toughest international flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) standards and are highly resistant to degradation over the life of the railcar floor.

When using the Floating Floor Online Design Guide designers proceed through four quick steps (There are options for both metric and English units.):

1. Enter the maximum load per panel or the maximum pressure per panel
2. Enter the panel dimensions
3. Select a foam to accommodate the gap in floating floor constructions
4. Enter the maximum deflection of the foam at maximum load

With the calculations entered, the designer then receives the results as well as different options to laying out the proper BISCO material.

Designers can also use the Floating Floor Online Design Guide to ask technical questions and receive responses within 24 hours.

To use the Online Design Guide go to www.rogerscorp.com/hpf/tools/floatingfloor.