What is BS EN 12081 - Railway applications - Axleboxes - Lubricating greases about?
BS EN 12081 specifies the quality requirements of greases intended for the lubrication of axlebox rolling bearings according to EN 12080, required for reliable operation of trains on European networks.
BS EN 12081 covers the approval procedure for a not-yet-approved grease, the management of modification for an approved grease and the method of quality batch control of the grease. The grease requirements are given for two speed classes.
Who is BS EN 12081 - Railway applications - Axleboxes - Lubricating greases for?
BS EN 12081 on Railway applications - Axleboxes - Lubricating greases is useful for:
- Railway industry
- International traffic handling department
- Manufacturers of axleboxes
Why should you use BS EN 12081 - Railway applications - Axleboxes - Lubricating greases?
The purpose of BS EN 12081 is to define the minimum requirements of greases used for the lubrication of rolling bearings in railway axleboxes.
BS EN 12081 helps you ensure a certain performance level in the interest of operating safety in international traffic. Performance implies a certain quality level of the vehicle running gear, which every railway undertaking may require, notably by imposing procedures in approval and quality assurance for the supply of axleboxes.
Note: Lubricating greases intended for use in axlebox bearing application need to fulfil the requirements of BS EN 12081, complying with Table B.1.
BS EN 12081 reflects the typical performance of, e.g. an NLGI grade 2 simple lithium soap grease, based on a mineral oil with a base oil viscosity of 100 mm2/s at 40 °C such as would be found in current use. However, BS EN 12081 does not restrict or limit grease evolution for more demanding applications of today and in the future, hence several parameters are left open for agreement.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 12081:2017 supersedes EN 12081:2007+A1 2010. BS EN 12081:2017 includes some technical changes with respect to EN 12081:2007+A1 2010. These include:
- Clause 1: revised scope of the standard
- Clause 2: revised and updated normative references
- Clause 4: added REACH legislation
- Clause 8: a new definition of speed classes
- Clause 9: revised for quality batch control and traceability
