Azdel Rail-Lite composite is a low-pressure, thermoformable, lightweight composite sheet that exhibits excellent flame, smoke, toxicity, and heat-release properties.

GE Advanced Materials has selected Schneller (USA), a leading manufacturer of engineered decorative laminates, to co-develop new grades of Indura GTform decorative laminate for interior rail vehicle applications formed with a AZDEL* Rail-Lite* composite from Azdel, a 50/50 joint venture of General Electric Company and PPG Industries. New Azdel Rail-Lite composite is a low-pressure, thermoformable, lightweight composite sheet that exhibits excellent flame, smoke, toxicity, and heat-release properties. It has been designed to help deliver outstanding, robust performance in combination with reduced weight and enhanced safety for a broad range of interior components for the global rail industry.

Interior rail structures formed with the new high-performance Azdel Rail-Lite composite can now tap the added benefits that Schneller's Indura GTform decorative laminate can help provide.

These include enhanced 3D formability, outstanding durability and in-mold decorating capabilities, and excellent stain, solvent, and graffiti resistance.

Like Azdel Rail-Lite composite, Indura GTform decorative laminate also meets strict regulatory standards for low flame, smoke, and toxicity.

Indura GTform decorative laminate - utilizing a tough, graffiti-resistant fluoropolymer surface layer - lends itself to many of the interior rail applications GE is targeting with AZDEL Rail-Lite composite.

These include window masks, ceiling panels, seat backs, arm rests, tray tables, stow bins, luggage racks, valances, and partitions.

The Schneller laminate can be customized to parts formed with GE's new composite in virtually any color or pattern and offers a high degree of design freedom to improve interior aesthetics for both new and refurbished passenger rail cars.

'Azdel Rail-Lite composite and Indura GTform decorative laminate represents two materials technologies from two global industry leaders that may offer tremendous potential to rail industry OEMs,' said Benny David, global industry manager of Transportation Composites, GE Advanced Materials.

'The potential of this new material for the interior rail sector may now be greatly multiplied by helping to give designers greater flexibility to create new high-performance, aesthetically pleasing components.' Matthew Miklos, general manager for Schneller's Transportation Products Group concurs.

'We have essentially thrown the door open to a wide range of application development possibilities through the greater design options the two materials technologies can help provide.

These complementary materials may offer a potential solution to the interior rail segment that goes beyond other currently available products,' Miklos said.

* About GE Advanced Materials - GE Advanced Materials is a world leader in providing materials solutions through engineering thermoplastics, silicon-based products and technology platforms, and fused quartz and ceramics.

Among its businesses are: * Plastics - which is a global plastics materials supplier and distributor, serving customers in a variety of industries including aerospace, appliances, automotive, building and construction, data storage and optical media, medical, electrical and electronics devices, telecommunications, computers and peripheral devices, outdoor vehicles and devices, and packaging.

* Silicones - which includes GE Toshiba Silicones in the Pacific region and GE Bayer Silicones in Europe, offering silanes, specialty silicones, urethane additives, adhesives, sealants, resins, and elastomers for a variety of industries such as personal care, automotive, tire and rubber, construction, healthcare, electronics, household and institutional, agriculture, textiles, appliances, bedding and furnishings, foam control, and consumer.

* Quartz - which provides high-purity quartz and advanced ceramic materials for the semiconductor, telecommunications, lighting, electronics, personal care, water purification, and various other industries.

GE (NYSE:GE) is a diversified technology, media, and financial services company dedicated to creating products that make life better.

From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming, and plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide.

* About Schneller - Schneller is a global leader in the development and production of engineered decorative laminates and non-textile flooring for the transportation and architectural industries.

Schneller provides custom design and color matching, material selection, continuous roll, and sheet production from its ISO-9001 certified production facilities in Kent, Ohio, and Pinellas Park, Fla., with global sales and service support from its Paris, France facility.