In the field of railway construction, sleepers are like the "spine" of railway tracks, and their anti-corrosion process directly affects the service life of the track system. Pine wood, as the most commonly used raw wood material, has the characteristics of straight texture and easy processing. However, the "delicacy" of natural wood requires an "immersive" anti-corrosion SPA - oil immersion treatment, in order to withstand the harsh test of outdoor environments.
1、 The 'bare faced' transformation of pine wood
Untreated pine sleepers are like bare faced artists, although naturally beautiful, they cannot withstand the erosion of wind and rain. The first step in the oil immersion process is the basic treatment of the raw wood: the excess moisture in the wood is removed by natural drying, and the wood is processed to the standard size by mechanical planing, clearing the obstacles for the subsequent "immersive" penetration of anti-corrosion oil. This process is equivalent to preparing the wood to ensure better absorption of anti-corrosion oil during subsequent oil immersion treatment.
2、 Immersive penetration of anti-corrosion oil
When the pine sleepers enter the sealed impregnation tank and are completely immersed in the anti-corrosion oil, the "immersive" anti-corrosion treatment is truly achieved. Under vacuum pressure, the anti-corrosion oil penetrates into the interior of the wood at a depth of over 13mm without any dead corners. This depth standard has been verified through a century of practice - it can ensure anti-corrosion effect while avoiding excessive oil absorption that may cause wood brittleness.
3、 The "external" advantage of oil immersion technology
The anti-corrosion performance of the sleepers that have undergone "immersive" treatment is like having an external attachment: the external anti-corrosion layer forms a barrier that can prevent moisture, bacteria, ants, and insects, ultimately achieving the purpose of anti-corrosion. Compared to traditional anti-corrosion coatings, this treatment method makes the "blood strip" of the sleepers thicker and extends their service life by 3-5 times. Especially in the humid and rainy southern regions, oil immersed sleepers exhibit "full grade" anti-corrosion properties, effectively avoiding early decay and insect infestations.
4、 The 'invisible guardian' of the orbital system
The "immersive" anti-corrosion of oil immersed sleepers is not a flashy technique, but a practical choice based on railway safety. When the train passes by at a speed of 300 kilometers per hour, the sleepers bear high-frequency vibrations and huge loads. After deep oil immersion of pine wood, the fiber structure is more stable, and the compressive strength is increased by about 20%, just like installing "shock-absorbing black technology" on the track system. This processing method can also reduce the frequency of later maintenance and lower the overall lifecycle cost.
In the era of intelligent railways, the traditional craftsmanship of oil immersed sleepers complements modern technology in a wonderful way. When 5G signals intersect with century old anti-corrosion technology on railway tracks, what we see is not only the inheritance of technology, but also the unremitting pursuit of transportation safety. The birth of every oil immersed sleeper is a perfect dialogue between engineering wisdom and natural materials.
