In the field of railway construction, SKL and KPO railway fastener systems are important components to ensure the stability of the track. Although they are both fastener systems, they have significant differences in structural design, buckling component performance, and adjustment capabilities.
From the perspective of structural design, the SKL series uses spring bars as buckling parts, such as the common SKL12 and SKL14 types. Taking SKL12 as an example, its ribs are provided with independent screw holes at both ends, which are connected to the railway sleepers or track plates through fork bolts. The T-bolts on the ribs are inserted into the seats and shoulders, and the elastic clips and T-bolt nuts are used to fix the rails. KPO belongs to the buckle plate fastener system, which consists of buckles, threaded spikes, spring washers, iron seats and buffer pads. The threaded spikes are anchored in the reserved holes of the concrete sleeper support platform through cement mortar, and the buckles are fastened to the rails under the action of bolts. This structure makes the SKL system more convenient to replace parts during installation and maintenance than the KPO system because of the bolt connection. There is no need to deal with the threaded spikes anchored in the concrete like the KPO system.
In terms of the performance of the clamping parts, the SKL spring bars are usually made of spring steel such as 60Si2CrA, and work by bending and torsional deformation of the material, with strong clamping force and good elasticity. For example, in practical applications, the SKL spring bars can withstand high train load impacts, and can still maintain stable clamping under frequent vibrations, effectively preventing rail displacement. In contrast, the clasp plates of the KPO system are made of ordinary steel, which is not elastic enough and has a low clamping force. During long-term use, the clasp plates are easily loosened due to the vibration of the train, and more frequent inspections and tightening work are required to ensure track safety.
In terms of track adjustment capabilities, the SKL system has obvious advantages. Taking SKL14 as an example, by using eccentric taper pins of different sizes, precise lateral and longitudinal adjustments of the rails can be achieved; by inserting height setting plates of different thicknesses, the height of the rails can be effectively adjusted to meet the needs of adjusting the track geometry during track laying and later maintenance. In contrast, the KPO system mainly relies on replacing buckle plates of different numbers to adjust the track gauge. The adjustment range is limited and the operation is complicated. It is difficult to achieve accurate and flexible track adjustment. When faced with problems such as track deformation, its response ability is relatively weak.