We provide a range of high-performance grease that is applied through the Wayside Protector IV® applicator to the gauge face and provides efficient lubrication and protection under a comprehensive range of performance requirements. Applying effective gauge face lubrication reduces friction and wear between the track and wheel flange and improves fuel efficiency.
BIOCURVE™ LB2 Summer provides superior lubricity that reduces friction and wear between the track and wheel flange and improves fuel efficiency. BIOCURVE™ LB2 Summer is a premium quality biodegradable rail curve grease formulated from U.S. grown vegetable oils and a lithium-based thickener.
This unique curve grease is ideal for use on heavy haul and high traffic rail lines where ambient temperatures extend from -18°C to 72°C. BIOCURVE™ LB2 Summer is specifically designed for environmentally sensitive areas but is equally effective in most rail applications within its temperature range.
BIOCURVE™ LB2 Summer offers a better gauge face coefficient of friction and less migration to the top-of-rail than petroleum-based grease. It is conveniently dispensed from the LB Foster PROTECTOR® wayside applicator and has been developed to resist port plugging in the wiping bars. BIOCURVE™ LB2 Summer is manufactured to meet the highest quality specifications for critical rail applications.
PROCURVE™ is specially formulated to meet the pumpability, adhesion and load carrying requirements of a premium rail curve grease. As a highly durable grease, PROCURVE™ can be used at lower application rates compared to traditional rail curve lubricants which translates into a lower annual grease consumption. Lower annual grease consumption results in a lower number of maintenance visits and on track time to fill lubricators.
PROCURVE™ is available in summer, winter and Arctic grades.
SYNCURVE™ provides excellent protection for the wheel flange/gauge face interface. As an exceedingly durable all season rail curve lubricant, customers have the flexibility of either employing a lower application rate for existing spaced lubricators or optimising (increasing) lubricator spacing using current application rates. In either case, use of SYNCURVE™ translates to a lower annual grease consumption compared to traditional rail curve greases. Lower annual grease consumption results in a reduced number of visits and on track time to fill lubricators. As an all-season product, SYNCURVE™ also eliminates the need to inventory both summer and winter grades as part of your gage face lubrication program.
Shell GadusRail S2 Wheel Flange greases are lithium soap greases fortified with a specifically formulated multipurpose additive package for use as railroad track lubricants.
Shell GadusRail S2 Wheel Flange greases are specially formulated to meet the pumpability, adhesion and load carrying requirements of a track lubricant. Additionally, Shell GadusRail S2 Wheel Flange greases are formulated to perform well when used on any equipment subjected to conditions of high loads and temperature extremes and provide excellent resistance to rust and corrosion.
Shell GadusRail S2 Wheel Flange greases are made with highly refined base oils, a special EP additive package and 3% molybdenum disulfide. The molybdenum disulfide acts to enhance anti-wear and load carrying properties which are critical for the transport of railcars over the track. A highly shear stable tackifier improves grease adhesion to track surfaces and helps prevent oil bleeding. These greases also offer good resistance to the mechanical shear associated with trackside lubricator operation.
Airlube is the exclusive agent for LB Foster’s Total Friction Management solutions, including a wide range of proprietary systems to control friction between the wheel and rail for transit and freight rail applications.
For more than a century L.B. Foster has provided the materials necessary to build and maintain the world’s infrastructure and their friction management products and delivery systems provide substantial cost benefits by maximising equipment performance and minimising wear at the wheel/rail interface.
Uncontrolled friction at the wheel/rail interface on a transit system results in a number of detriments including: curve noise, excessive wheel and rail wear, corrugations and rolling contact fatigue, wheel flats, SPADS (signals passed at danger due to lubricant on the rail head), higher fuel/energy consumption and potential safety issues like wheel climb derailment and high lateral forces.
With a Friction Management system in place, you are actively extending the life of your rail asset whist ensuring increased safety, efficiency and reduced noise.
Friction Management | LB Foster
Curve noise reduction of up to 20 dB
Extend wheel life by up to 20x
Extend grinding intervals by 2x
35% – 60% rail wear reduction
3% – 7% reduction in fuel consumption
25% – 40% lateral force reduction reduces derailment potential