TOP OF RAIL FRICTION MODIFIER
ClareShield TOR-TS provides outstanding performance and meets the challenges faced by rail operators globally through minimising noise, reducing wear and lateral forces, whilst extending rail and wheel life.
Performance Across a Range of Conditions
Its unique formulation affords superior and consistent performance in both dry and wet conditions across a wide temperature range. This provides the flexibility and reliability needed by rail operators worldwide. Regardless of environmental conditions the same grade can be used through summer and winter months.
ClareShield TOR-TS benefits:
- Unrivalled distance coverage: Extended carry down to 4 miles (6.4km) in a freight environment.
- Cost effective: Low treat rates and stable consistency so it doesn’t separate in storage, minimising waste and reduced pumping issues.
- Noise reduction: Improved steering, thereby reducing noise and high-pitched squealing.
- Rail head protection: Advanced formulation to resist extreme loads and measurable reduction in lateral forces thus minimising wear.
- All-seasons performance: Provides robust protection in extremes of hot and cold weather conditions.
- Eco-friendly solution: The formula is readily biodegradable, containing no solvents, latex, or toxic materials.
Igralub TrackSys
Find out more about Igralub TrackSys, the trackside friction management system for top of rail friction modifiers, delivering enhanced performance and accuracy.
Product Selector
| Product | Description | Download TDS |
|---|---|---|
| ClareShield TOR-TS | Top of Rail Friction Modifier |
Suggested Application Method
Download our Rail Friction Management Solutions Brochure
Our range of Rail friction management solutions includes Ecolabel accredited curved rail grease, top of rail friction modifiers, gauge face greases, lubricants for infrastructure and application equipment.
Explore our full range of high-performance rail lubricants and trackside application equipment in our Rail Friction Management Solutions brochure.
GAUGE FACE GREASES AND TOP OF RAIL FRICTION MODIFIERS:
WHY IT IS ESSENTIAL GAUGE FACE LUBRICANTS DO NOT MIGRATE TO THE RAIL CROWN
Gauge face lubricants are used to reduce wear by lowering friction at the active interface between the wheel flange and gauge face of curved rails. Top of Rail (ToR) friction modifiers are used to control friction between the wheel tread and rail crown (or rail head), to reduce curving forces and associated wear, damage and noise. However, if gauge face lubricant migrates to the top of rail and contaminates the running band on the rail crown, this will result in a lowered coefficient of friction and could prevent the safe braking of vehicles.
HOW DOES A GAUGE FACE LUBRICANT WORK?
As well as reducing wear at the gauge face, gauge corner and wheel flange, gauge face greases also help prevent damage due to Rolling Contact Fatigue, reduce the flanging noise that occurs when a train passes through a curve and, perhaps most importantly, reduce the risk of derailment. The result is greatly improved rail and wheel life, and major cost savings for Train Operators and Infrastructure Managers.
A curved rail grease is therefore designed to deliver low friction levels, typically with a coefficient of friction less than 0.1, over as great a length of track as possible (known as carry-down). This type of lubricant must also be able to perform in a wide range of operating temperatures and challenging weather conditions.
WHAT DOES AN EFFECTIVE TOR FRICTION MODIFIER DO?
An effective ToR Friction Modifier will maintain the coefficient of friction between the rail crown and wheel tread at an optimum level that reduces friction compared to a dry rail, and also reduces steering forces and rail wear. By doing so the friction modifier can also significantly reduce the “wheel squeal” commonly heard in tight curves, as well as certain types of rail damage such as Low Rail Corrugation. A further benefit can be reduced energy consumption and improved fuel economy.
AVOIDING CROSS CONTAMINATION
The benefits of using gauge face greases and ToR friction modifiers are similar, with both providing wear protection, noise mitigation and extending rail and wheel life. There are, however, distinct differences in the intended coefficient of friction for each.
Gauge face greases are designed to lower the coefficient of friction and should be aiming to achieve a level of no more than 0.15, and typically 0.1 or less. ToR friction modifiers are required to control the coefficient of friction and should maintain a coefficient of friction of around 0.30 – 0.35, but ideally no lower than 0.25.
If a gauge face grease migrates to, and contaminates the rail crown or ToR friction modifier, this can reduce the coefficient of friction to a point where a vehicle’s ability to brake safely may be compromised. The use of high quality and correctly installed application equipment is therefore vital for the safe and effective use of gauge face lubricants.
DID YOU KNOW?
USING TOR H20X YOU CAN APPLY UP TO 50% LESS THAN CONVENTIONAL FRICTION MODIFIERS
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