Railways wheel flanges lubrication

Biodegradable locomotive wheel flange grease

Railway wheel flange maintenance involves monitoring and managing the wear of the inner flange, which guides wheels along tracks, to prevent derailments and reduce noise. Key practices include wheel flange lubrication—using oil or solid lubricants to reduce friction—and re-profiling or machining to restore the correct profile from worn, thin, or high flange conditions.

Molylub BioFlange L-000G wheel flange ubricant with graphite

The wheel flange lubrication system works to apply lubricant to the interaction areas where train wheels connect to rail tracks, which is particularly important for curved sections of the track. The wheel flange lubrication system dispenses lubricant onto the wheel flanges when the train navigates through curves.

The two fundamental components in maintenance of the wheel–rail interface are control of friction and control of the wheel and rail profiles. Appropriate design of the wheel–rail interface, with attention to these factors, can greatly reduce maintenance requirements. Some basic guidance to prevention of damage is contained here, but the majority of this chapter comprises information regarding equipment, techniques and expectations for maintenance of wheels and rails. ‘Best practice’ is to undertake routine, preventative maintenance that restores transverse profile, removes longitudinal or circumferential irregularities and either removes surface cracking or otherwise forestalls its development, while removing minimal material from the wheel or rail surface. The ability to undertake preventative maintenance can be regarded as a sign of a well-designed wheel–rail interface. If damage is sufficiently severe, ‘corrective’ maintenance is required.

PRODUCT	COMPOSITION	TEMPERATURES	APPLICATION	PDF
Molylub BioFlange L-000 G	Bio Ester oil/ Inorg thickener + Graph	From -30 up 90	Railway locomotive wheel flanges. Automatic lubrication systems BEKA FluiLube; Vogel SP; Delimon RailJet; Schunk; Secheron etc.

 

 

 

Biodegradable grease for this on-board equipment is designed to spray lubricant on the wheel flange in order to reduce the friction between the rail and the wheels, leading consequently to wear and noise reduction.

Molylub BioFlange L-series wheel flange lubrication system greases

• reduce friction and wear – reduce resistance – save energy (up to 15%)
• increase service intervals (by up to 80%)
• reduce the necessity for maintenance works
• increase safety
• protect the environment, as biodegradable lubricants can be used – reduce noise emissions – increase travel comfort by improving the running properties

Maintenance is the set of all technical activities, administrative and management during the life cycle of a functional unit to maintain or restore a state in which it can perform the required function. Maintenance includes actions such as diagnostics and repair, adjustment, revision, monitoring and verification of hardware equipment (manufactured goods) or even intangible equipment (software).

Wheel Flange lubricant types

• Solid, mainly Graphited Lubricants: Solid lubricants are great for wheel flange lubrication systems. They are quite effective and easily applicable. Generally, the lubricant is a blend of polymers and molybdenum disulfide or graphite. These particles reduce friction and wear. Solid stick lubricants are also eco friendly products.
• Biodegradable Lubricants: Biodegradable lubricants are eco friendly products based mainly on Synthetic Esters. Their application reduces chemical impacts on the environment. They also effectively lubricate various components and ensure optimal performance.
• Mineral Based Greases: Old school Mineral based greases often contain high graphite proportions. These types of greases are suitable for high load applications. Despite the temperature fluctuation, they can operate greatly. This quality makes them versatile for different uses in rail environments.

The principle of our wheel flange lubrication is simple: a carbon-based dry lubricant reduces the frictional forces between the wheel flange and rail. For this purpose, a retainer with the solid lubrication stick is attached directly to the bogey. The stick is pressed against the wheel flange by a spring, thus ensuring continuous lubrication in just the right amount. The result is a considerable reduction in running noise and less wear, and thus a longer wheel and rail service life.