In railway engineering, sleepers are a crucial component as they provide effective support and stability for the track. However, wooden sleepers are susceptible to moisture, microorganisms, and insects, leading to decay and damage. In order to extend the service life of wooden sleepers, people often use oil immersion anti-corrosion treatment. During this process, high temperature played a very important role, bringing multiple benefits to the sleepers.
In high-temperature environments, the moisture inside the wood evaporates rapidly, which is crucial. The cellular structure of wood contains a large amount of water, which provides a breeding ground for microorganisms and insects. Through high-temperature treatment, the moisture inside the wood is effectively eliminated, and the cell cavities and micropores are expanded and expanded by hot air. This change is not just a physical extension, but also includes the deep penetration of oil agents driven by thermal energy. Oil agents have better fluidity and permeability at high temperatures, thus being able to more uniformly fill the microstructure inside the wood. Therefore, high-temperature treatment enables the anti-corrosion components to cover the entire wooden pillow more comprehensively, greatly enhancing the anti-corrosion effect.
Moreover, wood is prone to chemical changes at high temperatures. High temperature can soften cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in wood, making them more likely to react with anti-corrosion oil. For example, anti-corrosion oils such as coal tar can more effectively bind with wood molecules under high temperature conditions, forming a strong protective layer. This layer of protection not only prevents water from entering, but also resists microbial invasion, thus greatly extending the service life of the sleepers.
More importantly, high temperatures can completely eliminate insect eggs and microorganisms inside wood. Various insects and microorganisms often lurk in wood, and conventional treatment methods are difficult to completely eradicate. And high-temperature treatment provides an effective solution. Through high-temperature technology, most microorganisms and insect eggs in wood can be eliminated. Especially for some stubborn borers and fungi, high temperature can significantly reduce their activity, thereby solving the problem of wood decay from the source.
In addition to its chemical and biological effects, high temperature also has a positive impact on the physical properties of wood. Wood undergoes thermoplastic deformation under high temperature treatment, making its internal structure more stable. After high-temperature treatment, wood molecules are arranged more tightly and internal stress is significantly reduced, making it less prone to deformation due to changes in the external environment. Especially in heavy-duty railways, the stability of sleepers is crucial for the safety and comfortable operation of the track. Through high-temperature treatment, the stability of wood is significantly improved, better adapting to the high requirements of railway operation.
In the high-temperature treatment process, not only is the anti-corrosion effect improved, but also the production efficiency is greatly improved. Under high temperature conditions, the viscosity of the anti-corrosion oil agent decreases and the penetration rate accelerates, allowing the entire soaking and penetration process to be completed in a relatively short period of time. This means that the efficiency of the production line has been greatly improved, better meeting the urgent needs of railway construction and maintenance. High temperature treatment not only saves time and costs, but also optimizes the entire process flow, making it an important means to improve production efficiency and quality in railway engineering.
In summary, high temperature plays an indispensable multiple role in the anti-corrosion treatment of oil immersed sleepers. Through high-temperature treatment, not only can the permeability and anti-corrosion effect of the oil agent be significantly improved, but it can also induce chemical reactions in the wood, enhance durability, kill internal diseases and pests, optimize the physical properties of the wood, and improve process efficiency. The application of high temperature provides a comprehensive improvement in the anti-corrosion treatment of sleepers, which is an important guarantee for ensuring the safe operation of railways. In railway engineering, high-temperature oil immersed sleeper anti-corrosion treatment technology is undoubtedly an indispensable innovative means.
