What is UIC 564-1 Standard?
UIC 564-1 is the technical specification governing the mechanical and optical properties of safety glass used in railway rolling stock. Unlike architectural glass, UIC 564-1 certified glass must withstand dynamic tunnel pressure waves, ballistic impacts (ballast stones), and maintain specific optical distortion limits to prevent driver signal misinterpretation.
Core Glass Technologies: Toughened vs. Laminated
Railway safety depends on the correct application of glass types based on failure modes (breakage behavior).
Specification Toughened (Tempered) Glass Laminated Safety Glass UIC Designation Type /T/ Type /L/ Structural Composition Single pane, heat-treated for compression. Multiple panes + PVB Interlayer. Failure Mechanism Disintegrates into small, blunt granules (Safe-break). Cracks but retains structural integrity (Anti-ejection). Primary Application Interior partitions, standard side windows. Windscreens (Required), High-Speed exterior.
Technical Requirements & Testing Protocols
Compliance with UIC 564-1 requires passing specific destructive and optical tests.
1. Mechanical Impact Test (The 227g Steel Ball)
This test simulates the impact of loose ballast or vandalism.
- Test Setup: A polished steel ball (227g) is dropped from heights up to 8.5m depending on glass thickness.
- Pass Criteria (Laminated): The ball must not penetrate the laminate. This ensures no external object enters the passenger cabin.
- Pass Criteria (Toughened): If breakage occurs, the shard count in a 5x5cm area must be high (small pieces), ensuring no dagger-like shards are formed.
2. Optical Distortion Limits
Critical for driver windscreens to prevent “Ghosting” (Double Imaging) of railway signals.
- Secondary Image Separation: The deviation between the primary and secondary image must not exceed 15 minutes of arc for windscreens.
- Light Transmission: Minimum 70% visible light transmission (VLT) is mandatory for the driver’s forward field of vision.
3. Temperature & Humidity Resistance
Glass must undergo the “Bake Test” (100°C for 2 hours) to ensure the PVB interlayer does not bubble or delaminate under extreme summer heat.
