Welding

Old rails systems were notorious for a ride that was bumpy because the tracks were not appropriately welded. Modern equipment requires smooth and continuous rail track. Rails are therefore butt-welded to avoid shocks at joints, as well as damage to wheels and other mechanical parts.

We use two types of welds:

Thermite Welding

The steel obtained by combining iron oxide with aluminum is cast at over 2000°C in a refractory mould matching the rail profile. This technique gives excellent results, and is independent of atmospheric and operational conditions. The implementation of this thermite welding technique requires qualified welders. Platinum Track can carry out the welding operation.

Flash Butt Welding

The flash butt welding process entails bringing the rail ends together and generating an arc which heats the metal. Once the metal reaches the appropriate temperature the rail ends are forged together using hydraulic pressure and the excess upset material at the weld interface is sheared away to produce a near perfect rail profile with minimal secondary profile grinding required. The entire process is automated with the rail ends encapsulated and manipulated by a portable weld head.

The process lends itself to very high weld production rates but only if the supporting labor force is well organized to take full advantage of the equipment capabilities. The process is most productive when the rail is fed to the weld head at a fixed location, welded then pulled down the runway on rollers. Platinum Track can offer organization and management of the flash butt welding process.