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:

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.

Illustration of a wheel alignment tool attached to a vehicle wheel. The tool, equipped with blue and white parts including brackets, screws, and a wheel flange stick for precision, is securely fitted to the wheel assembly.

Features and benefits

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

Application gallery

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