Rail Welding Equipment

WEL-D’STRESS® Hammer

The WEL-D’STRESS® hammer has been developed by Pandrol to improve the fatigue resistance of aluminothermic welds.

The WEL-D’STRESS® hammer introduces residual stresses of compression and prevents the appearance of fatigue stains when traffic is intense. The hammering procedure involves using the hammer for one minute from the web/head connection to the tip of the foot on either side of the collar (i.e. a minimum of four minutes for one weld).

When traffic is heavy, fractures can occur in welds in sensitive areas within six months of welding. Use of the WEL-D’STRESS® hammer completely removes this risk. Customers using the equipment since 2007 have found that the life expectancy of welds in high-traffic areas is identical to that of the rail.

Technical Features

  • The WEL-D’STRESS® hammer is a pneumatic system
  • Can be used with aluminothermic welds from ambient temperature up to 300°C maximum
  • The equipment has been designed to be extremely easy and intuitive to use
  • The kit is compact and easy to carry, coming with a strong case, certified IP67
  • The WEL-D’STRESS® hammer can be used on all types of rail and very high traffic networks. This includes heavy haul lines and intense urban traffic networks, such as RER and Metro

Advantages

  • Using the WEL-D’STRESS® hammer results in a very significant increase in the length of time before an aluminothermic weld shows signs of fatigue
  • Less maintenance is needed – the life expectancy of welds in high traffic areas is identical to that of the rail
  • As a result, maintenance costs are reduced and the system offers optimised life cycle costs
  • There is increased availability of the infrastructure
  • The WEL-D’STRESS® hammer is easy to transport and use
  • The equipment is efficient and effective for welding on all types of rail and very high traffic networks
Rail Welding Equipment

WEL-D’STRESS® Hammer

Hammering procedure (4 minutes per weld)

  • Start from the web/head connection
    Start from the web/head connection

  • Hammer down that side of the weld
    Hammer down that side of the weld

  • Until you reach the foot
    Until you reach the foot

    Complete for 1 minute on all four sides of the weld