As rail assumes greater importance for industrial and passenger transport the demands on rolling stock and networks is under increasing pressure to perform and scrutiny to be robust, eco efficient and safe.

Klüber Lubrication has developed a diverse portfolio of products that can be customised to ensure trains and rails work reliably in all weather conditions. With products that maintain and protect equipment from train doors through traction motors or brakes to the entire railway infrastructure Klüber Lubrication is one of the few organisations to offer customised solutions.

In addition to future proofing rolling stock and infrastructure for commercial reasons, increasingly important to operators is the need to be environmentaly focussed.   Thomas Kamprath, market manager for Rail at Klüber Lubrication, said: "When developing lubricants for the rail sector, Klüber Lubrication is especially focused on making them environmentally friendly. This is of particular importance for friction points where the contact with water or the ground cannot be ruled out."

As well as being biodegradable Klüber Lubrication’ pioneering products are designed to deliver greater protection for longer meaning fewer applications therefore adding to the eco efficiency of each product. The company also strives through its holistic approach to solutions to mitigate regular overuse and provide a seamless service to customers.

The Klüber Lubrication technical team will be presenting its comprehensive range of powerful speciality lubricants for the railway industry under the motto "Get on the right track with our customised solutions" at the InnoTrans 2014 in Berlin in hall 21 A, stand 409.

An overview of new developments

Klüberrail ALO 32-250 is a new special lubricant for overhead power lines, which is highly adhesive to prevent dripping. Highly resistant to water, it delivers reliable lubrication between the current collector and the line, leading to lower wear and hence longer relubrication intervals. Klüberrail ALO 32250 also helps reduce overhead line noise and vibration. The new speciality lubricant is biodegradable and therefore eco-friendly.

Klübersynth GE 4 75 W 90 for railway applications is a fully synthetic high-performance gear oil with high scuffing load capacity and micropitting resistance. The base oil's pronounced shear stability prevents the lubricant film from collapsing even under high loads, which is essential to protect both teeth and rolling bearings. Besides good protection against corrosion and wear, the oil offers good low-temperature behaviour as well as a high resistance to ageing and oxidation, which leads to considerably less frequent oil changes becoming necessary. Klübersynth GE 4 75 W 90 is approved by several gear manufacturers like IG Watteeuw, Voith Turbo, Siemens-Flender and by the German railway operator Deutsche Bahn.

STABURAGS NBU 30 PTM is a water-resistant assembly lubricant containing solid lubricants. In the rail industry, it is frequently used in bogie applications. "For the preload force of screw connections, the total friction coefficient plays a decisive role," Thomas Kamprath explains. "Screws lubricated with STABURAGS NBU 30 PTM have a friction coefficient of 0.09 < µ > 0.14, as stipulated in the standards DIN 25201 and VDI 2230. This was confirmed by comprehensive tests performed with M 16x 100 – 8.8 screws on the screw test rig. Especially for screws that have to be removed for equipment inspections it is important that they can be undone also after a longer period of operation. This is ensured by the very good resistance to water and media of STABURAGS NBU 30 PTM." 

The wheel flange lubricant Klüberrail LEA 62-2000 ensures good wear protection for wheels and rails and reduces stick-slip effects on curves to reduce noise. The fluid grease provides excellent adhesion, making sure it stays on the wheel, even at high speeds. Furthermore, it offers very good water resistance. Klüberrail LEA 622000 is rapidly biodegradable according to OECD 301 F.

Klüberrail AL 32-3000 is a synthetic biodegradable speciality lubricant for setting railway points with small forces even at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees. It combines very good resistance to water with good corrosion protection and a high resistance to UV radiation, which helps extend relubrication intervals considerably.

At the InnoTrans 2014 held in Berlin from 23 to 26 September, the experts from Klüber Lubrication will be pleased to answer all questions regarding the lubrication of railway components.