PLASTICS FOR RAILWAY PURPOSES

A review is given of the physical properties of plastics and their various applications on railways for bearings, gears, decorative, and other utilitarian purposes. The most interesting application is for bearings of various kinds, including axle bearings. These are self-lubricating and wear evenly under extremely bad conditions of service. They work best when water lubricated; the water serving a dual purpose of lubricating and carrying away the heat. For electrical applications requiring an inert strong material possessing an extremely low moisture absorption and high dielectric strength, a paper base laminated sheet, rod or tube is extensively used. Impregnated wood is also used for insulated fishplates for track-circuited railway tracks. Impregnated wood has also been used on the Continent for signal insulation.

• Corporate Authors:

  Temple Press Limited

  161-166 Fleet Street
  Longon EC4,   England 
• Authors:
  • Trevor, J S
• Publication Date: 1940-9-20

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 303-305
• Serial:
  • RAILWAY GAZETTE
  • Volume: 73

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bearings; Electric insulating materials; Films (Coatings); Gears; Insulating materials; Lubrication; Passenger cars; Plastics; Railroad cars; Railroad tracks; Signal devices; Technology
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Polymeric films
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039527
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 4 1994 12:00AM