|
SAF sleepers produces high quality pre stressed concrete sleepers for:
ADVANTAGES OVER TIMBER SLEEPERS
Durability
 The life of a sleeper in track is estimated at not less than 50 years. This exceeds that of any type of timber sleeper, even in the most favorable of climate. In certain areas of the world extremes in temperature, humidity, fungus or insect attack, not to mention timber quality, reduces timber sleeper life to as little as 15 years.
Economy & Environmental Benefit
 In some countries of the world, the economy of initial supply is now with the concrete sleeper. As suitable timber becomes scarce and increased production requirements reduce the price of the concrete sleeper, the comparison will become even more favorable to the concrete sleeper. Apart from this, use of concrete sleepers encourages the preservation of precious forest wealth.
Low Maintenance Costs
 Maintenance costs associated with concrete sleepers can show a significant saving over that for timber sleepers. The built-in nature of the fastening avoids the frequent attention which has to be given to the normal base-plate fastened to the timber sleeper.
Stability
 The heavier sleeper produces a higher resistance to lateral movement and also reduces the vertical movement under traffic of imperfectly packed sleepers; important factors in relation to continuous welded rail. In condition of excessive heat, a concrete sleeper track is less prone to vertical and horizontal distortion, and this has important safety as well as maintenance implications.
Maintenance of Gauge
 Due to the rigidity of the cast-in portion of the rail fitting, a concrete sleeper maintains the rail gauge much better than a timber sleeper, where the increase of gauge over the years is an accepted phenomenon. This applies especially to curved track.
|
