Southeastern Railway has selected TEROSON® MS 9320 SF as its adhesive solution for train flooring maintenance, citing outstanding adhesion, sealing capabilities and ease of use.
The railway operator required a product that could withstand the continuous wear, distribution of load and resistance to dimensional change or flexing and exposure to water during cleaning that train floors endure.
The company was also looking for a solution that complied with stringent fire safety standards, as the application involved bonding carpet and Treadmaster TM8, Southeastern railway’s chosen flooring, to plywood in train interiors – where passing fire tests is mandatory. The one-part polymer adhesive and sealant from TEROSON met all requirements, and brand owner Henkel coordinated external fire testing, with successful trials taking place at Southeastern’s Westgate facility.
The decision to switch to TEROSON® MS 9320 SF also reflected inefficiencies with the previous two-part epoxy solution used for flooring applications. That product required mixing in large drums, rapid application, and a lengthy 48-hour curing process. In contrast, TEROSON MS 9320 SF is a single-component, sprayable product that eliminates the need for mixing and under certain conditions has offered walk-on times of just three to six hours, significantly reducing downtime and accelerating turnaround times.
Its superior adhesion and sealing properties also prevent water and chemical ingress during cleaning, which can otherwise lead to swelling and blistering and damage to the plywood flooring. By offering robust resistance to moisture and dimensional change, TEROSON MS 9320 SF helps extend the lifespan of the flooring and reduces the need for costly repairs.
The product’s proven performance in other rail environments, including its approval by Transport for London and use in London Underground furniture applications, further demonstrated its suitability for Southeastern Railway. These demanding public transport settings require adhesives that can withstand constant use, which TEROSON has consistently delivered.
In contrast to epoxy adhesives, which can suffer from embrittlement and delaminate over time, TEROSON MS 9320 SF maintains its bond until full carriage refurbishments need to take place, which also contributes to the long-term durability of the flooring and reduces maintenance costs.
The switch to TEROSON also supports Southeastern’s sustainability goals. The alternative epoxy solution can result in wasted product left unused in mixing drums, while TEROSON’s single-part design eliminates that issue. Additionally, the improved durability of the flooring means fewer replacements over time, reducing material waste and environmental impact.
The product is also white-label, containing no hazardous substances and featuring no VOC emissions. Its sprayable, single-part design allows precise application with minimal overspray, improving working conditions and reducing the need for extensive PPE.
Andy Philpott, Tactical Production Manager at Southeastern said: “The use of TEROSON has made a significant difference to our flooring installation and refurbishment processes.
“It meets all our technical and safety requirements, especially around fire compliance, and has proven to be far more efficient and user-friendly than previous solutions, reducing the installation time whilst also significantly reducing the MSK risk to our team. The ease of application and improved durability are exactly what we needed to keep our fleet running safely and reliably.”
Southeastern Railway engineers have also responded positively to the new solution, noting how much easier and faster it is to apply.
Daniel Hutchinson, Lead Applications Engineer at Henkel commented: “It’s so much easier than getting on hands and knees to apply, mixing product together and having to wait for curing. TEROSON has really streamlined the process and made our work far more efficient.”
