EN 12080:2017/FprA1

Railway applications - Axleboxes - Rolling bearings

This European Standard specifies the quality parameters of axlebox rolling bearings supporting the load of the vehicle, required for reliable operation of trains on European networks. It covers metallurgical and material properties as well as geometric and dimensional characteristics. It also defines methods for quality assurance and conditions for approval of the products.

Bahnanwendungen - Radsatzlager - Wälzlager

Applications ferroviaires - Boîtes d'essieux - Roulements

Železniške naprave - Ohišja ležajev kolesnih dvojic - Kotalni ležaji - Dopolnilo A1

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 07-Nov-2022
• ICS: 21.100.20 - Rolling bearings
• ICS: 45.040 - Materials and components for railway engineering
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 256 - Railway applications
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 256/SC 2/WG 12 - Roller bearings and Lubricants
• Current Stage: 5060 - Closure of Vote - Formal Approval
• Start Date: 05-May-2022
• Due Date: 07-Sep-2021
• Completion Date: 05-May-2022
• Directive: 2016/797/EU - Directive (EU) 2016/797 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the interoperability of the rail system within the European Union (Text with EEA relevance)
• Mandate: M/483 - Mandate for programming and standardisation addressed to the European standardisation bodies under directive 2008/57/EC in the field of the interoperability of the rail system within the European Union
• Ref Project: SIST EN 12080:2017/kFprA1:2022 - Railway applications - Axleboxes - Rolling bearings

Relations

• Merged Into: EN 12080:2017+A1:2022 - Railway applications - Axleboxes - Rolling bearings
• Effective Date: 18-May-2022
• Amends: EN 12080:2017 - Railway applications - Axleboxes - Rolling bearings
• Effective Date: 26-Jun-2019

Overview

EN 12080:2017/FprA1 is a European standard developed by CEN that specifies essential quality parameters for axlebox rolling bearings used in railway applications. It focuses primarily on the bearings that support the load of railway vehicles to ensure reliable operation across European rail networks. This standard covers critical aspects such as metallurgical and material properties, geometric and dimensional characteristics, quality assurance methods, and product approval conditions.

Developed by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 256, EN 12080:2017/FprA1 supports compliance with the EU Directive 2016/797 on rail system interoperability. The standard offers a structured framework that harmonizes requirements across CEN member countries, including Austria, Germany, France, UK, and others. It serves manufacturers, inspectors, and rail operators by defining consistent criteria for manufacturing, testing, and certification of rolling bearings in axleboxes.

Key Topics

• Material and Metallurgical Properties
  The standard defines detailed metallurgical requirements ensuring that the materials used in axlebox rolling bearings have adequate mechanical strength, impact resistance, and dimensional stability. It references relevant ISO norms for chemical composition and mechanical testing, supporting consistent product quality.

• Dimensional and Geometric Characteristics
  EN 12080:2017/FprA1 sets clear specifications for the geometry of bearing components, including cylindrical roller bearings and cartridges. It regulates marking deviations and machining tolerances to guarantee interchangeability and optimal function under operating loads.

• Quality Assurance & Traceability
  The standard mandates strict traceability measures, specifying chemical analyses and production batch controls. It requires inspection plans covering moisture content, sub-surface quality, and burr acceptance limits to maintain high manufacturing standards and minimize risk of defects.

• Testing and Inspection Procedures
  Includes detailed procedures for testing polymer cages used in bearings, with defined requirements for moisture, viscosity, chemical composition, and mechanical performance. It introduces conditioning protocols and sampling frequencies to verify batch conformity during production and series approval.

• Defect Management
  EN 12080:2017/FprA1 describes how to inspect for voids, cracks, and burrs in bearing components. The updated void cluster criteria and fracture testing guidelines help identify critical defects affecting durability and safety.

• Marking Requirements
  Specific guidance for marking bearing rings and cartridge bearings improves identification and quality control throughout the supply chain.

Applications

• Freight Wagons and Passenger Rolling Stock
  This standard is crucial for manufacturers and suppliers producing axleboxes for both freight and passenger trains to ensure components meet European interoperability requirements.

• Railway Maintenance and Inspection
  Maintenance organizations utilize EN 12080 standards to assess bearing condition, ensuring reliability and safety of train operations.

• Rail Industry Quality Control
  Bearing producers apply the detailed inspection and testing methods as part of their quality assurance systems, facilitating compliance with EU regulations.

• Interoperability Compliance
  EN 12080:2017/FprA1 contributes to harmonized technical specifications that enable cross-border rail transport without compromising component safety or performance.

Related Standards

• EU Directive 2016/797/EC – Establishes essential requirements for rail interoperability, supported by this standard.
• ISO 683-17 – Specifies steel grade requirements applicable for bearing component materials.
• ISO 15512:2016 – Used for determining moisture content in polymeric materials as referenced for cage testing.
• EN ISO 11357-3, EN ISO 307, EN ISO 1183-1/2 – Define testing methods for melting point, viscosity, and density of polymers used in cages.
• EN ISO 179-1 – Governs Charpy impact testing of bearing materials to ensure mechanical strength.
• EN ISO 178 – Describes bending strength tests relevant for polymer cage approval.

By conforming to EN 12080:2017/FprA1, stakeholders in railway engineering ensure that axlebox rolling bearings meet rigorous standards for durability, performance, and cross-border interoperability, supporting the safety and efficiency of European rail transport.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 12080:2017/oprA1:2021
01-maj-2021
Železniške naprave - Ohišja ležajev kolesnih dvojic - Kotalni ležaji - Dopolnilo A1
Railway applications - Axleboxes - Rolling bearings
Bahnanwendungen - Radsatzlager - Wälzlager
Applications ferroviaires - Boîtes d'essieux - Roulements
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 12080:2017/prA1
ICS:
21.100.20 Kotalni ležaji Rolling bearings
45.040 Materiali in deli za železniško Materials and components
tehniko for railway engineering
SIST EN 12080:2017/oprA1:2021 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

SIST EN 12080:2017/oprA1:2021
SIST EN 12080:2017/oprA1:2021
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 12080:2017
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
prA1
March 2021
ICS 21.100.20; 45.040
English Version
Railway applications - Axleboxes - Rolling bearings
Applications ferroviaires - Boîtes d'essieux - Bahnanwendungen - Radsatzlager - Wälzlager
Roulements
This draft amendment is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 256.

This draft amendment A1, if approved, will modify the European Standard EN 12080:2017. If this draft becomes an amendment,
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of
this amendment into the relevant national standard without any alteration.

This draft amendment was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2021 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 12080:2017/prA1:2021 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

SIST EN 12080:2017/oprA1:2021
EN 12080:2017/prA1:2021 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Modification to the European foreword . 4
2 Modification to Clause 2, Normative references . 4
3 Modification to 4.2, Technical specification content . 4
4 Modification to 6.3, Traceability . 5
5 Modification to 11.2, Marking of rings for cylindrical roller bearings (CRB) . 5
6 Modification to 11.3, Marking of cartridge bearings for axleboxes . 5
7 Modification to 12.1, Inspection plan . 5
8 Modification to Annex C, C.3, Equipment . 5
9 Modification to Annex D, D.2.4, Conditioning . 5
10 Modification to Annex D, D.3.1.1, General. 5
11 Modification to Annex D, D.3.1.2, Inspection frequency for series production . 8
12 Modification to Annex D, D.3.2, Moisture content . 8
13 Modification to Annex D, D.3.4.3, Burrs . 8
14 Modification to Annex D, D.3.5 Sub-surface quality . 8
15 Modification to Annex ZA . 10
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of Directive (EU) 2016/797 aimed to be covered . 11

SIST EN 12080:2017/oprA1:2021
EN 12080:2017/prA1:2021 (E)
European foreword
This document (EN 12080:2017/prA1:2021) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 256
“Railway Applications”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive 2016/797/EC.
For relationship with EU Directive 2016/797/EC, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of
EN 12080:2017.
SIST EN 12080:2017/oprA1:2021
EN 12080:2017/prA1:2021 (E)
1 Modification to the European foreword
Add the following item in the list of changes:
— The use of conditioning for polymer cages is no longer mandatory and is specified in 4.2
— A clarification of deviations in marking of cylindrical roller bearings is new in 11.2 and 11.3
— The inspection plan for inclusion content in 12.1 (footnote h in Table 3) has been made clearer and
now also includes specifications for sample preparations
— The sensor definition in C.3 is now more relevant
— Conditioning can now be performed also at the bearing manufacturer (see D.2.4)
— The sample frequency for polymeric cages in D.3.1.1 is now more relevant and the terms “Approval”
and “Series” are better defined
— Table D.1 has been renamed for clarity and the requirements for “Viscosity index” and “Length of
glass fibres” have been relaxed to be more relevant
— The requirement for “Mechanical test for material approval” in Table D.1 have been changed so that
it is clear that the Charpy impact test is on “un-notched” samples and made according to the relevant
norm, the requirement for the “Bending strength on the test specimen” is changed and a clarification
on how “Thermal ageing in grease or oil bath” is performed has been added
— Footnote d in Table D.1 now allows for use of inspection certificate 3.1 and a new footnote “h” is
added to specify sampling frequency
— ISO 15512 can be used for moisture content determination in D.3.2 and a clarification on the use of
desiccator is added
— In D.3.4.3 some additions are made on how to address burrs on the edge and outside of functional
areas
— D.3.5 is rewritten to address “void clusters” and Figure D.1 is replaced
— The Annex ZA has been revised to take into account EU Directive 2016/797/EC
2 Modification to Clause 2, Normative references
Add the following reference:
ISO 15512:2016, Plastics — Determination of water content
3 Modification to 4.2, Technical specification content
Replace “18) selection of mechanical testing method for cages of polymeric material (see D.4.1)” with:
“18) selection of mechanical testing method for cages of polymeric material (see D.4.1) and selection if
conditioning shall be used or not for polymer cages (See D.2.4)
SIST EN 12080:2017/oprA1:2021
EN 12080:2017/prA1:2021 (E)
4 Modification to 6.3, Traceability
Replace ” Chemical analysis (all elements)” with:
Chemical analysis (all elements having content limitations according to ISO 683-17)
Delete spacing before comma accordingly:
“Name, manufacturer”;
5 Modification to 11.2, Marking of rings for cylindrical roller bearings (CRB)
Add the following sentence at the end of 11.2, before Figure 1:
“Deviations from marking on “Chamfer side” according to Figure 1 — Marking of CRB inner rings, shall
be defined in the technical specification according to Clause 4.”
6 Modification to 11.3, Marking of cartridge bearings for axleboxes
Add the following sentence at the end of 11.3, before Figure 2:
Deviations in the location of the marking for cartridge bearings shall be defined in the technical
specification according to Clause 4.
7 Modification to 12.1, Inspection plan
Replace the following footnote h in Table 3 “For ingot casting once every steel melt. For continuous casting
for beginning, middle and end of the casting process. Samples to be taken after forging and heat treatment
on forged bars.” with:
Every melt for ingot cast steel and continuously cast steel. For continuously cast steel, the specimens shall
preferably be from the start and end of the cast. The specimens shall be taken from rolled or forged bar
and shall be hardened and tempered to a minimum of HV350 prior to polishing.
8 Modification to Annex C, C.3, Equipment
Replace ” a sensor with a differential winding”; with:
“a suitable sensor to detect reference artificial defect as described in C.4.3.1”;
9 Modification to Annex D, D.2.4, Conditioning
Replace ” Conditioning shall be performed at the cage manufacturer.” with:
“Conditioning shall be performed at the cage or bearing manufacturer if specified in Clause 4.”
10 Modification to Annex D, D.3.1.1, General
Replace “Samples from the polymeric cages shall be taken from suitable points that are deemed critical
from an injection moulding perspective, such as the area connecting to the cage bar, areas with maximum
wall thickness or material agglomerations. At least one sample shall be taken from one cage. ” with:
“Samples from the polymeric cages shall be taken from suitable points that are deemed critical from an
injection moulding perspective, such as the area connecting to the cage bar, areas with maximum wall
thickness or material agglomerations. At least one sample shall be taken from one cage. Sample frequency
shall be once per batch of cages produced. Samples for test of chemical composition, viscosity index and
density can be taken once per batch of cages produced or per material batch.
SIST EN 12080:2017/oprA1:2021
EN 12080:2017/prA1:2021 (E)
The term “Approval” in Table D.1 refers to Annex E and the term “Series” in Table D.1 refers to series
production.”
Replace the title of Table D.1 with:
“Table D.1 — Requirements and test method for polymer cages”
Replace Table D1 with:
SIST EN 12080:2017/oprA1:2021
EN 12080:2017/prA1:2021 (E)
Material
Property Requirements Test Approval Series
b
Moisture content (after 1 – 2,5 % D.3.2 Yes Yes
conditioning if required -
D.2.4)
c a g
Chemical composition Yes Yes
c g
Melting point ± 5ˆ[°C] EN ISO 11357-3 Yes Yes
c 3 g
Viscosity index ± 30 [cm /g], Solvent: formic
...