Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
  • E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
  • E01B31/00—Working rails, sleepers, baseplates, or the like, in or on the line; Machines, tools, or auxiliary devices specially designed therefor
  • E01B31/20—Working or treating non-metal sleepers in or on the line, e.g. marking, creosoting

Definitions

• This relates to methods and materials for restoring worn rail clip shoulders located on concrete rail ties.
• rails are held to concrete rail ties by rail clips or fasteners that bear down on the rail flange.
• rail clips or fasteners are typically fabricated of metal and include a shoulder portion.
• Concrete rail ties have been found to be prone to wear particularly in sandy and wet locations or on steep grades where locomotives use sand for traction. More specifically, a rail shoulder is disposed on a rail tie. The tie is surrounded by ballast. The rail clip shoulders are embedded in the concrete tie and adapted to hold the rail clips that bear down on the flange of the rail.
• Worn shoulders on concrete rail ties need to be repaired quickly enough to limit hold up of train traffic to an acceptable time. Worn shoulders also need to be restored to their original dimensions.
• Pre-catalyzed mercaptan-based epoxy hardeners are commonly required in epoxy formulations. It is difficult for these products to cure under cold climatic conditions. These mercaptan-based hardeners also have a very obnoxious odor and workers often complain of becoming nauseous when working with these products. Repairing a rail tie with an epoxy resin does not result in a refurbished product wherein superior performance under dynamic operating condition can be maintained.
• the use of an epoxy resin does not result in a rail tie that exhibits a high level of durability under load so that maintaining the gauge of a rail assembly is a problem.
• the use of an epoxy resin does not result in a rail tie that exhibits a high level of fracture resistance under load so that maintaining the gauge of a rail assembly cannot be accomplished.
• the high viscosity of an epoxy resin makes handling more complicated when it is dispensed, particularly in the field.
• polymeric materials can be employed to restore a worn rail clip shoulder.
• the polymeric materials can comprise, and in another embodiment can consist essentially of, at least one of a polyurethane, a polyurea and/or a poly(urethane-urea) polymer.
• the method comprises applying a polymeric material as described above to the worn rail clip shoulder located on the concrete rail tie. Then, the polymeric material is cured so it adheres to the worn rail clip shoulder where it is restored.
• the polymeric material is substantially sag resistant and exhibits excellent pseudoplasticity. Therefore, the polymeric material maintains its shape without substantial runoff from the concrete rail tie during the restoration operation.
• the damaged rail shoulder is restored using non-ambient heat for curing the polymeric material. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the worn rail clip shoulder is restored without requiring the use of non-ambient pressure. Accordingly, the subject restoration method is more easily performed in the field by laborers who are employed for this purpose.
• the worn rail clip shoulder in an embodiment herein has an extremely short Gel Time.
• the gel time of the polymeric material is not more than about five seconds, and in still a further embodiment not more than about three seconds, and in still another embodiment not more than about one second. This allows for placement and retention of the rail shoulder components on the repair site without substantial run-off of the polymeric material from the repair site.
• the worn rail clip shoulder and the polymeric material can be maintained in a fixed position on the surface of the concrete rail tie during the course of the worn rail clip shoulder restoration procedure.
• the Set Time of the polymeric material can also be sufficient to permit contouring of the worn rail clip shoulder in situ in the repair area using application techniques that can be readily performed by workers in the field.
• the Set Time of the polymeric material is sufficient for contouring the restored worn rail clip shoulder without requiring the use of non-ambient pressure. Set Time is typically dependent upon temperature conditions and the thickness of applied polymeric material.
• the rail tie properties can be maintained over a wide range of ambient temperatures during use. These ambient temperature are preferably up to at least about 120° F., more preferably to at least about 140° F., and most preferably up to at least about 160° F., and as low as ⁇ 50° F., more preferably as low as about ⁇ 25° F., and most preferably as low as about 0° F.
• curing of the polymeric material during repair of the worn rail clip shoulder can be accomplished over a wide range of humidity's, temperatures and pressures. Therefore, an effective rail tie shoulder can be produced in a commercial time frame.
• the polymeric material displays a high degree of toughness and ductility.
• Material toughness is indicated by area under stress-strain curve developed during tensile testing. Toughness-ductility classifications depend on the Elastic Modulus (Young's Modulus), tensile strength, and elongation.
• Rigid materials have an Elastic Modulus (E) that is defined as E>700 Mpa.
• Brittle materials have an elongation less than 10%, in the case of epoxy materials an elongation of about 5%.
• Ductile materials have an elongation as defined below of at least about 10% or higher. The percent elongation value of the restored rail clip shoulder can be increased to a level that results in increased brittle fracture morphology.
• the restored rail clip shoulder can provide an increased percent elongation value that results in substantially improved material durability.
• Verification of the structural differences in durability of conventional epoxy resins and the subject polymeric material can by established by, for example, comparing the elongation (“Elongation”) of each of the respective materials under tensile loading (ASTM D 638).
• Elongation elongation
• ASTM D 638 tensile loading
• conventional epoxy polymers show poor elongation properties (Elongation>5%) and exhibit a corresponding brittle fracture morphology.
• the Elongation of the polymeric material employed herein is preferably at least about 10%, more preferably at least about 15%, and most preferably at least about 20%.
• the subject polymeric material also has a modulus that is in the rigid class of materials, a greater area under the stress strain curve, a substantial plastic energy of deformation term, and a lower filler loading that is enhanced by excellent bonding of the polymer matrix to the filler, minimizing internal defects and the size of the internal defect.
• Typical epoxy systems are highly filled and have nominal matrix-filler bonding resulting in numerous internal defects of considerable size.
• the restored rail clip shoulder forms a rail tie, which can exhibit a high level of fracture resistance under load while maintaining the gauge of a rail assembly.
• This improved fracture resistance is evidenced by the presence of a higher level of mechanical properties, better SEM image analysis results, and an enhanced Griffith fracture analysis.
• the Tensile Strength (ASTM D638M-89) of the restored rail clip shoulder is generally at least equivalent to that of epoxy resins used conventionally.
• the Tensile Strength of the polymeric material employed herein is at least about 3,800 psi, in another embodiment at least about 4,200 psi, and in still another embodiment at least about 4,500 psi.
• the polymeric material of the restored rail clip shoulder is also characterized by an increase in the Young's Modulus of the polymeric material of the restored rail clip shoulder.
• the Young's Modulus of the polymeric material employed herein is at least about 700 Mpa, in another embodiment at least about 850 Mpa, and in still another embodiment at least about 1,000 Mpa.
• This polymeric material is also characterized by exceptional adhesion to the materials used to construct the rail clip shoulders on the concrete railroad ties, typically, stainless steel or ductile iron. It also shows outstanding adhesive properties for binding to shims, typically fabricated of stainless steel, which are used in the repair process to reinforce the restored rail clip shoulder. This adhesion property can be measured by employing several testing regimes.
• the adhesion to stainless steel can be measured using a lap shear test (ASTM 3631).
• the minimum adhesion of the polymeric material employed herein is at least about 1500 lbs/in 2 , in another embodiment at least about 1800 lbs/in 2 , and in still another embodiment at least about 2000 lbs/in 2 .
• a pull off test for adhesion to stainless steel or ductile iron can be employed according to ASTM D4541.
• the minimum adhesion of the polymeric material employed herein is at least about 1600 lbs/in 2 , in another embodiment at least about 1800 lbs/in 2 , and in still another embodiment at least about 2000 lbs/in 2
• the minimum adhesion of the polymeric material employed herein is at least about 2500 lbs/in 2 , in another embodiment at least about 2800 lbs/in 2 , and in still another embodiment at least about 3000 lbs/in 2
• a lowered viscosity of the subject polymeric material is provided. This property of the polymeric material makes handling less complicated when it is dispensed, particularly in the field.
• Polymeric materials particularly useful in this invention can be prepared from various combinations of amine-terminated and/or hydroxyl-terminated resins that are reacted with an isocyanate material. These polymeric materials in one embodiment comprise at least one polyol compound and/or at least one amine compound, and an isocyanate.
• the polymeric material is a poly(urethane-urea), in one embodiment it can be formed employing (a) at least one polyol compound, typically a hydroxyl capped polyol and/or a hydroxyl chain extender, in one embodiment an amount from about 20%, in another embodiment from about 25%, and in a further embodiment from about 30%, in an embodiment herein up to about 60%, in still another embodiment up to about 55%, and in still a further embodiment up to about 45%, (b) at least one amine compound, typically an amine chain extender, in one embodiment from about 0.5%, in another embodiment from about 1.0%, and in still another embodiment from about 1.5%, in one embodiment up to about 20%, in further embodiment up to about 15%, and in still a further embodiment up to about 10%, and (c) an isocyanate compound, typically an isocyanate prepolymer, in one embodiment an amount from about 20%, in another embodiment from about 25%, and in still another embodiment from about 30%, in one embodiment up to about 45%, in a further embodiment up to about
• the polymeric material is a polyurethane, in one embodiment it can be formed employing (a) at least one polyol compound, typically a hydroxyl capped polyol and/or a hydroxyl chain extender, in one embodiment an amount from about 55%, in another embodiment from about 60%, and in a further embodiment from about 65%, in an embodiment herein up to about 80%, in still another embodiment up to about 75%, and in still a further embodiment up to about 70%, and (b) an isocyanate compound, typically an isocyanate prepolymer, in one embodiment an amount from about 20%, in another embodiment from about 25%, and in still another embodiment from about 30%, in one embodiment up to about 45%, in a further embodiment up to about 40%, and in still a further embodiment up to about 35%.
• a polyol compound typically a hydroxyl capped polyol and/or a hydroxyl chain extender
• the polymeric material is a polyurea, in one embodiment it is formed employing (a) at least one amine compound, typically an amine capped compound and/or an amine chain extender, in one embodiment an amount from about 55%, in another embodiment from about 60%, and in a further embodiment from about 65%, in an embodiment herein up to about 80%, in still another embodiment up to about 75%, and in still a further embodiment up to about 70%, and (b) an isocyanate compound, typically an isocyanate prepolymer, in one embodiment an amount from about 20%, in another embodiment from about 25%, and in still another embodiment from about 30%, in one embodiment up to about 45%, in a further embodiment up to about 40%, and in still a further embodiment up to about 35%.
• amine compound typically an amine capped compound and/or an amine chain extender
• Typical polyol compounds can be hydroxyl capped di- and tri-functional polyether oxides, hydroxyl capped polypropylene oxides, hydroxyl capped di- and tri-functional polyethylene oxides, hydroxyl capped di- and tri-functional poly(propylene-ethylene)oxides, and hydroxyl capped di- and tri-functional polyesters.
• Examples of polyols which can be employed herein are Bayer LHT-240, PPG-425, Arch 20-280, Dow Voranol 230-238, and BASF Quadrol.
• the polyol compound has a molecular weight of from about 200 grams/mol, and in another embodiment from about 300 grams/mol, and in still another embodiment from about 400 grams/mol, and in a certain embodiment up to about 4,000 grams/mol, in another embodiment up to about 3500 grams/mol, and in still another embodiment up to about 3000 grams/mol.
• Typical amine compounds can be amine compounds such as amine chain extenders including di-and tri-polyoxypropylenediamines, liquid aromatic diamines, isophronediamine, and diethylenetriamine or amine capped compounds such as amine capped bi- or tri-functional amine compounds.
• amines which can be employed herein are Shell Epi-Cure 3271, Vestamine IPD, Huntsman D-230, and Dorf Ketal Unilink 4100.
• Typical isocyanate compounds are di- and tri-functional aromatic isocyanates, polymeric modified 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanates, and 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanates (aliphatic isocyanates).
• isocyanates which can be employed herein are Bayer Desmodure N 3400, ICI Rubinate 1209, Bayer Mondur ML, Bayer Mondur MR and MR Light.
• the isocyanate compound can be a prepolymer isocyanate blend such as Bayer Mondur MA-2300, Bayer Mondur MA-2600, and Baytec ME-040.
• the functionality of the isocyanate in one embodiment can be at least about 2.0, in another embodiment at least about 2.2, in a further embodiment at least about 2.4, and in still a further embodiment up to about 2.6.
• the polyurethane, and poly(urethane-urea) reactions can include a catalyst system to accelerate the reaction between the isocyanate and the hydroxyl groups of each polyol.
• catalysts can include tin, mercury, lead, bismuth, zinc and various amine compounds such as are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,902, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
• a preferred catalyst employed herein is a metal carboxylate.
• chain extender to complete the formulation of polyurethane, polyurea, and poly(urethane-urea) polymers by reacting isocyanate groups of adducts or prepolymers.
• examples of some types of polyol and amine chain extenders include 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, diethylene glycol, trimethylol propane and hydroquinone di(beta hydroxyethyl ether).
• the subject polyurethane, polyurea, and poly(urethane-urea) compositions may additionally incorporate diluents, fillers, compatibilizers, thixotropes, pigments, plasticizers, colorants, de-foaming agents, rheological modifiers, and anti settling agents.
• Suitable fillers include barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, silica, and clay particles, such as aluminum silicates, magnesium silicates, ceramic and glass micro-spheres and kaolin.
• Suitable compatibilizers are hydroxy containing organic compounds, preferably hydroxy containing monocyclic arenes such as ethoxylated nonyl phenol, which compatibilize the polyol and aromatic diisocyanate reactants in the formulation.
• Suitable diluents include hydrotreated paraffinic oils, phthlates, carbonates, hydrotreated naphthenic oils, petroleum solvents, aliphatic solvents and propylene carbonate.
• Equipment for dispensing the isocyanate and polyol(s)/amines employed in producing the polyurethane, polyurea, and poly(urethane-urea) materials such as the MixusTM dispensing equipment manufactured by Willamette Valley Company of Eugene, Oreg., is commercially available.
• the two components which form the subject polyurethane, polyurea, and poly(urethane-urea) filler materials are pumped from storage tanks to a proportioning unit where the components are measured out according to a specified ratio. A known amount of each material is then separately pumped to a dispensing unit.
• the components are mixed in the dispensing unit and then introduced into the worn area of the shoulder of the railroad tie.
• the components of the polymeric materials can also be mixed together using a cartridge system with a static mixing tube along with standard proportioning equipment.
• the shoulder repair process takes place during normal re-gauging and maintenance operations or during a dedicated shoulder repair process.
• the repair process is generally as follows:

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Railway Tracks (AREA)
• Sealing Material Composition (AREA)
• Adhesives Or Adhesive Processes (AREA)
• Clamps And Clips (AREA)

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Citations (7)

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• 2008
  • 2008-02-21 US US12/034,918 patent/US20090212452A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2009
  • 2009-02-17 CA CA2654476A patent/CA2654476C/fr active Active
  • 2009-02-18 MX MX2009001813A patent/MX2009001813A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2009-02-19 GB GB0902740.0A patent/GB2457582B8/en active Active

Patent Citations (7)

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