ClareTech EcoStick WFS
Where a wheel flange stick lubricant is the customer’s preference or the most suitable lubrication solution for their operating conditions, ClareTech EcoStick WFS can reduce stick consumption by typically 40% or more compared with competitor wheel flange stick lubricants, and may also lead to extended wheel life.
Wheel Flange Stick Lubricant
One of the most environmentally friendly wheel flange stick lubricant systems, the ClareTech EcoStick WFS not only delivers enhanced wear protection at the wheel/rail interface and protects your bottom line, it also protects the environment more than almost any other wheel flange stick lubricant available in the market.
In common with other stick lubrication systems, the ClareTech Ecostick WFS system is mounted directly to the train’s bogie, which means engineers spend less time on track, but the EcoStick’s unrivalled durability also means less maintenance required for stick replenishment compared with competitor stick solutions.
Suitable for a range of applications
The product can be used across a range of different applications, including freight and passenger trains, locomotives, metro and commuter lines and heritage railways.
Wheel flange stick lubrication systems
The wheel flange lubrication system consists of three elements:
- Solid lubricant
- Spring-loaded applicator
- Holding bracket to position applicator towards the wheel
The wheel flange stick lubrication is applied to the wheel flange by a constant force. It then transfers to the rail, creating a lubricating film at the point of contact for maximum protection. The EcoStick is self-regulating, applying lubrication dependent on the friction and track characteristics where used. Not only does the EcoStick utilise environmentally-friendly raw materials, but low consumption rates mean it offers high performance for longer than other similar products making it the preferred choice of many train operators.
Features and benefits
- Precise, continuous application ensures well managed friction levels and greatly reduced wear at the wheel/rail interface to extend wheel and rail life and reduce maintenance costs.
- Class leading lubrication performance combined with proven low consumption rates, and a purpose designed application system ensures each stick is optimised to lubricate for longer and keep the volume of stick lubricants required for your fleet to a minimum.
- Materials used in the ClareTech EcoStick WFS are eco-friendly composites of annual renewable bio composite materials and are biodegradable in the natural environment, making it the one of the most environmentally friendly stick lubrication solutions in the market. An important factor for networks when considering their environmental impact.
- The simplicity of wheel flange stick lubrication systems makes them easy to maintain, and stick replacement is a quick process that does not require trackside access, an important safety consideration.
- Consistently delivered lubrication provides a highly effective lubricating film to mitigate rail squeal and reduce noise pollution.
- The EcoStick WFS reduces the risk of derailment and has been tested to ensure full compliance with Rail Standard EN 16028.
- Compatible with most existing Stick application hardware.
Download our rail friction management solutions brochure
Explore our full range of high-performance rail lubricants in our Rail lubrication brochure.
Our range of Rail friction management solutions includes Ecolabel accredited curved rail grease, top of rail friction control materials, gauge face greases, lubricants for infrastructure and application equipment.
Technical product information
| Appearance (Visual) | Colour (Visual) | Odour | Density | Softening Point | Hardness (ASTM D2240-05) | Toxicity | Flashpoint | TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Solid stick, moulded product |
Black, opaque |
Odourless |
.635 +-.010 oz/in^3 |
90°C |
Surface hardness 30d +-3 |
Product is non-toxic |
>200°C |
Testimonial
“We compared our incumbent wheel flange stick lubricant with this soy-based stick in a comparative field trial over a 10 month period on one of our rolling stock where there are 12 applicators fitted. Over this period the trial found that we used the equivalent of 3 sticks per train / per month of the Eco Stick, compared with 21.6 sticks per train / per month of the molybdenum-based stick we had been using. The savings opportunity was overwhelming.”
Performance comparison data
Stick Lubricant Wear - EcoStick WFS Vs. other solid sticks (European Urban Railway Operator)
Wear Rates: EcoStick WFS vs. Leading Competitor
This graph clearly shows the much lower wear rate and therefore better stick life of ClareTech EcoStick WFS in a back-to-back trial with a leading competitor over 35,000 km. In this particular trial, with each type of stick fitted to Left and Right Hand wheels of adjacent axles, the competitor stick was consumed 3 times as quickly as ClareTech EcoStick WFS with no difference in wheel wear during the test period.
EcoStick WFS Vs. other solid sticks (Amsler Test Results According To En 16028)
Coefficient of Friction: Soy vs. Molybdenum Disulfide Lubricants
The Amsler Test described in EN16028 is a means of indicating two key performance criteria for Stick Lubricants:
1. The ability to reduce and control the coefficient of friction (CoF) to an acceptable level, typically 0.15, when the solid stick product is applied to the wheel flange.
2. The durability of the applied film once the solid stick product is removed. This provides an indication of how long the applied film will last when being transferred between the wheel and rail, and is therefore relevant to Stick consumption rates.
This graph compares the Amsler results of ClareTech EcoStick WFS with a typical competitor product using Molybdenum Disulphide lubricant. It shows that ClareTech EcoStick WFS achieves acceptable CoF more quickly than the competitor and maintains this protection for twice as long as the Molybdenum Disulphide product.
EcoStick WFS Vs. other solid sticks (European Urban Railway Operator)
Wear Rates: Soy vs. Carbon-Based Wheel Flange Stick Lubricants
The two most common types of Stick lubricant are Molybdenum Disulphide and Carbon (Graphite). This graph compares the consumption of ClareTech EcoStick WFS with a Carbon based competitor, again over 35,000km. Once again the competitor stick wore down more than twice as quickly, thereby confirming ClareTech EcoStick WFS’s advantage through lower consumption and longer replenishment intervals.
Available Stick Sizes
- 24 x 49 x 57mm
- 26 x 26 x 113mm
- 24 x 49 x 217mm
- 20 x 44 x 51mm
- 20 x 44 x 101mm
Application gallery
