Research into Railway Materials

Institute of Railway Technology has been engaged in the development and assessment of new materials that will result in increased component life and reduced overall cost. All materials are of interest, ranging from the steels used in the manufacture of wheels, rails, vehicles, bridges and sleepers, to cast irons used in rail fastening systems and polymers used for rail pads, and to the rock used for ballast.

Achievements

• Development, testing and implementation of improved rail & wheel materials.

• Design and performance of rail welding procedures.

• Economic assessment of materials used for vehicle body construction.

• Development and assessment of materials used for sleepers and rail pads.

• Assessment of rail/wheel lubricants in terms of their effectiveness in reducing wear and energy consumption.

• Assessment of ballast materials in terms of degradation and track geometry deterioration.

• Assessment of material quality and inspection requirements for rail materials and welds.