Pandrol offers market-leading solutions for the aluminothermic welding of vignole rail. This flat-bottomed, slim-webbed rail is commonly used on mainline, high speed, and heavy haul tracks around the world. Our vignole rail welding processes equip the user to perform new welds as well as wide-gap and head-wash repairs.
The process involves casting molten steel (produced through the reaction of iron oxide and aluminium) at a temperature exceeding 3,500˚F (1,950 °C) into refractory moulds designed to the rail specification. We offer processes, portions, moulds, and crucibles designed to suit various global welding approaches.
The HFP 36V is a battery-powered and fully automated preheater designed for easier and more reliable operation. Its ignition, timing, and stop functions require no manual interference or flame adjustment, making it a highly efficient tool.
AutoSeal® moulds are Pandrol’s newest aluminothermic welding innovation that streamlines the welding process.
HWR is suitable for repairing railhead defects between 25mm and 90mm wide and 25mm deep (depending on the rail profile), it can be used on both the parent rail and on electric flash butt welds, which often suffer from squats. It is also suitable for transversal defects, shelling and corner gauge. The aluminothermic weld process is carried out using specially designed moulds.
Beyond offering welding processes for all standard rail profiles, we also collaborate with customers to engineer bespoke solutions for special rail types that are less commonly used, such as the special rail grades used on metro lines including rubber-tyred rail, guide bar rail, conductor rail, and rack rail. We can offer portions, moulds and crucibles designed to your exact specification.
The process involves casting molten steel (produced through the reaction of iron oxide and aluminium) at a temperature exceeding 3,500 ˚F (1,950 °C) into refractory moulds designed to the rail specification.
Pandrol Connect consists of three modules: a mobile version for welders to record on-site data and for welding controllers to review data, an online monitoring app to review weld information from the office, and an online administration tool to apply settings to local standards.