Rail

Environmental & cost drivers are having a visual impact on rail applications, with demands for longer service life & reduced carriage weight.

Elastomer materials have many various & diverse applications on rail applications & these are being continually reviewed to improve performance & extend service life.

The use of rubbers & plastics in rail applications is increasing, polymer materials are often being used to replace components traditionally manufactured in metal.

Smithers Rapra’s knowledge of Polymer applications & its experience in successfully converting metal components to plastic alternatives is helping the rail industry achieve its goals.

In service

A midlife assessment of elastomer product performance

A series of physical tests & chemical analysis work to provide an assessment of the continued durability of elastomer spring components.

Physical examination & testing

A detailed visual study followed by extensive load deflection testing across a range of used & unused samples. Material tensile strength testing for modulus & elongation at break, together with bond strength testing between the rubber & associated metal components.

Contamination analysis

Quantitative extraction, thermo gravimetric analysis & infra red analysis of aged material to look for contaminants. Energy dispersion analysis to determine the level of material surface oxidation.