SKL fastener system composition and specifications

SKL fastener system, also known as Vossloh fastener system, is widely used in the global railway field, covering heavy-duty railways, high-speed railways, standard tracks and other scenarios. As professional railway fastener manufacturers, many companies are committed to producing and supplying various SKL fastener systems. According to the SKL railway fastener standard, the common fastener systems are SKL1, SKL3, SKL12 and SKL14, among which SKL14 (also known as W14 railway fastener system) is the most widely used. ​

System composition and specifications​

(I) Main components​

SKL spring bar: usually made of high-quality spring steel such as 60Si2CrA, 60Si2CrVA, etc., after quenching and tempering, the hardness reaches 42-47HRC, with good elasticity and fatigue resistance, and can withstand more than 5 million fatigue cycles without breaking. Taking SKL14 as an example, the diameter of the spring bar is generally 13mm. It tightly buckles the rail through its own elastic deformation to ensure a stable connection between the rail and the sleeper. ​

Spiral spikes: Common materials include 38Si7, etc., and the grades are divided into 4.6 (material Q235), 5.6 (material 35#), 8.8 (material 45#), etc. Common specifications include M24×150mm, M24×160mm, M24×180mm, etc., and can also be customized according to customer needs. Spiral spikes are used to anchor the fastener system in the concrete sleeper to provide stable support for the entire system. ​

Flat washers: such as ULS7 flat washers, which are generally made of Q235 material, play the role of dispersing the nut pressure and protecting the sleeper surface, preventing damage to the sleeper when the nut is tightened.​

Plastic sleeve: It is mostly made of materials such as HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and reinforced nylon 66 (PA66), which have good insulation and weather resistance. The plastic sleeve is installed in the embedded hole of the sleeper and used in conjunction with the spiral spike, which can not only ensure the accuracy of the spike installation, but also provide a certain buffering and insulation effect. ​

Gauge baffle (guide plate): It can be customized according to different rail types, and is commonly used for UIC54, UIC60 rail types, and 50kg/m, 60kg/m rails. The guide plate accurately adjusts and fixes the gauge of the rail through specially designed shapes and sizes to ensure the stability of the rail position when the train is running. ​

Rubber pad (rail pad): Generally made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) or rubber material, it has good elasticity and vibration reduction performance. The rail pad is laid between the rail and the sleeper, which can effectively buffer the impact force generated by the train running, reduce the wear of the rail and the sleeper, and play a certain insulation role.​

(II) Surface treatment​

In order to improve the corrosion resistance of SKL fastener system and extend its service life, various surface treatment methods are used. Common ones include surface oiling (plain oiling), forming a thin oil film to isolate air and moisture and prevent metal rust; black painting (black painting), which not only increases the aesthetics, but also protects the metal surface to a certain extent; galvanizing (zinc) treatment, forming a zinc layer on the metal surface, using the electrochemical protection of zinc to prevent metal corrosion; hot-dip galvanizing (HDG, Hot-Dip Galvanizing) can provide a thicker and more durable zinc layer, suitable for railway lines in harsh environments. ​

(III) Packaging form​

Generally, double-layer woven bags are used for packaging, and fumigation-free wooden pallets are used. This packaging method can not only protect the product from damage during transportation, but also meet the quarantine requirements of international transportation. It can also be customized according to the special needs of customers.