CASE STUDY 5: Tor Lubrication (Grooved Rail)

Background

Our PRT300 tribometer can be mounted to embedded/grooved rail for friction measurements on trams and light rail systems.

Noise pollution is a problem for the urban environment and wheel squeal can occur on curves. Tight curves can also suffer from excessive wear of wheel and rail.

Wayside lubrication systems are installed. These apply an oil based product to the rail to reduce wear and squeal. The product is picked up by a passing wheel and re-deposited or ‘carried down’ the track.

The friction mangement product is present as a thin, oil based film which is almost invisible to eye.

Friction measurements required for friction management optimisation including application location, amount applied and application intervals.

Our practices

Friction measurements, using our PRT300 tribometer, were carried out at intervals before and after the lubricator

Results

Friction reduction after product application due to lubricant. Friction increase with increasing distance from applicator (carry down).