Wide Gap One Shot Crucible Weld Kit Wide Gap Kit Components CJ One Shot Crucible Page 1
T h e Al l N ew Railtech W i d e G a p w e l d i n g pr o c e s s d e s i g n e d f or Au s t r a l i a n c o n d i t i o n s a nd i n c or p o r a t i n g the C J - O n e S h o t Cr u c i b l e Safety The Railtech Wide Gap Weld is designed and manufactured to gain maximum control over the following aspects: Chemical analysis of the metal. Control over the heat affected zone Mechanical characteristics of the weld. (Brinell hardness). Major quality improvements are achieved by using the CJ - One Shot Crucible. Using a compared to a Standard Crucible greatly reduces the risk of the welding personnel incurring injuries since the weight of the crucible is only 10kg + Portion. A Standard Crucible (new) complete with hardware is 49kg + Portion. When we consider the average weight of a portion is 18kg then it is clear there are advantages. The does not require preheating and therefore the welder is handling a cold crucible for most of the procedure. Metallurgical Improvements: There are fewer sand inclusions in the weld metal. 2
Less risk of slag inclusions from a dirty crucible. Less risk of porosity in the weld since each crucible is new and there is virtually no risk of moisture. Weld Installation Improvements: There is considerably less hardware for the welder to carry. No crucible hardware is required. Preheating the crucible prior to commencing work is no longer required and therefore there is less risk of bad welds. Welders can be ready to start welding as soon as the work site is safe and clear of trains. Far less risk of operator error. Preheating is achieved with the use of an approved Oxy-Acetylene (Refer Note 1, Page 17) preheat torch. Preheating time is determined by the size of the rail. ADVANTAGES Prefabricated moulds allow: Defined short preheat time. Eliminates the need to evaluate rail end temperature. Takes less time to complete a weld. The is supplied with the automatic self-tapping thimble fitted and has the following advantages: There is no requirement to install the automatic thimble and closing portion with less risk of possible weld problems. 3
There is no risk of the operator burning himself when placing the thimble into a CJ. (As with Standard Crucible). Weld Kit Advantages: Complete weld in a box, eliminates risk of not having all components on the weld site. Less risk of using the wrong portion for the rail to be welded. Good protection for the mould and portion during transit. The WGW-CJ kit box is easily identified with the packaging displaying a CJ - One Shot Crucible on the box. This identifies that the weld kit requires a CJ - One Shot Crucible. (This is very important, as a weld kit designed for use with a standard crucible MUST not be used in a and a portion designed for a One Shot must not be used in a standard crucible. Advantages of the CJ Crucible: The material used as in the refractory is waterproof, thus allowing the crucible to be used without any drying preparation. The CJ Crucible is positioned on top of the mould for pouring, and the close proximity to the pouring reduces the washing of sand from the mould deflection plug into the mould. Thus producing a Metallurgically Cleaner Weld. WARNING The Wide Gap-CJ Weld is designed for use with a One Shot CJ Crucible. Type CJ2-F1, Part Number: 83450113. 4
NEVER attempt to use a standard crucible with a weld kit carrying the marking CJ. The above may result in serious injury or damage to property and can result in defective welds. A. ADJUSTMENT OF THE RAILS (Please note that any Rail Authority specifications for alignment should be adhered to as directed) The gap between the rail ends must be 68.0mm +/ 3.0mm. If it is necessary to recut the rail ends, the cut should be performed with a mechanical rail saw or an alternative gas cutting method. In the case of long welded rails, this process must be performed at the releasing temperature. B. RAIL ALIGNMENT 1. Visual alignment at a distance of 4 to 5 metres from the rail joint. 2. Lifting the rail ends to set the joint is required to eliminate dipped welds during the cooling process of a weld. The process depends on the type of rail and track condition. The adjustment is checked with a steel straight-edge of 1.0 metre placed half on each rail so as to have the same clearance on each side between the straight-edge and the rail head. The clearance must be 2.0 to 2.5mm. To carry out this adjustment, the sleeper fastenings are removed 2 or 3 sleepers on each side of the joint, it may also be necessary to remove the sleeper pads and to slew the sleepers to allow enough space to insert the mould. In curves, due to the flexibility of the rails, the alignment is also achieved over a length of one metre by means of tie rods adjusted on the foot of the opposite rail. 5
3. In plan view, the gauge faces of the rail are aligned accurately over a length of at least one metre. For this adjustment, wedges can be inserted between the rail and the sleeper plates. If the two rails are twisted, one or both of them must be corrected with wedges and by adjusting the corresponding sleeper fastenings. In curves, due to the flexibility of the rails, the alignment is also achieved over a length of one metre by means of tie rods adjusted on the foot of the opposite rail. 4. Re-check the alignment and welding gap before proceeding. 5. Similar care should be taken with web and foot alignment. Using alignment equipment to set up rails is a good practice to eliminate misalignment of the rails during welding. The Railtech A Frame Aligner is a tool, which is designed to perform this operation. Railtech A Frame Aligner (P/N 11111001) Use a 1.0 Metre straight edge (Railtech Australia Limited P/N 78203200) to set the vertical alignment of the rails. The amount of peak is as advised by the Railway to suit the rail section and local conditions. Measure the peak approximately 50mm from each end of the 1 Metre straight edge. C. ATTACHING THE PREFABRICATED MOULDS 1. Check the moulds to see that they are the correct size and there are no cracks or other damage likely to cause an unsuccessful weld. 6
2. Before assembling, the moulds are to be fitted to the rail shape by rubbing along the rail. 3. Fit each mould half into the respective steel mould jacket and ensure that the slag overflow on the mould corresponds with the lip in the mould jacket. (Note: The mould must fit over the locating dowel in the mould jacket.) 4. Fit the base plate of the mould into the steel base plate. Place a seam of Clay Cement in the grooves on each side of the mould baseplate. (Railtech Australia Limited Clay Cement Part No. 82662100). Place the mould and base plate under the rail foot, position centrally in the gap, and tighten with the two adjusting screws, then tap under the base plate lightly, to ensure good seal, and retighten screws by hand only. Take care when positioning the base plate onto the rail that the Clay Cement does not contact the foot until correctly aligned, as the paste may stick and it will be necessary to re-apply Clay Cement. 5. Place the two side moulds into position using the locating guides on the mould jackets onto the base plate guides to ensure correct alignment. 6. Position the mould clamp and tighten, taking care not to damage the moulds by over tightening. 7. To prevent the risk of dropping paste into the mould during the next step, please cover the mould with a piece of cardboard from the kit box. Apply Stemming Paste to seal the clearance between moulds and 7
rail. Pack it firmly into the space between the flat part of the steel jackets and the rail, pressing it with the fingertips to force it into the clearance. Make a 'smoothing' movement to ensure a perfect adherence of the paste. Apply Stemming Paste to the pouring lip on the mould cover. (Railtech Australia Limited Stemming Paste Part No. 78203700). 8. It is a good idea to apply Stemming Paste to the thread on the mould clamp, to ensure that any spillage of slag or metal will not damage the thread. 9. Place the slag basin with a quantity of dry sand covering the bottom of it in position on the mould clamp; be careful that it is placed under the slag pouring lip. D. PREPARING THE CHARGE During the preheat procedure, open the portion bag and pour the portion into the. Take care that the entire portion is emptied from the bag. You may put an UNLIT fuse in the top of the portion, (alternatively, this can be placed in the portion when ready to ignite it). Place the lid on the CJ Crucible, and place in a safe area until ready for use. E. PREHEATING WITH OXY- ACETYLENE TORCH FOR PLK WELD (Refer Note 1, Page 1) Use a preheat torch as recommended by Railtech, (Railtech Australia Limited P/N 78214000) equipped with Harris accessories as specified. Ensure that a 8 hole rectangle preheat tip is used when welding WGW-CJ - One Shot Crucible Process. 8
IT IS NECESSARY TO USE A RAILTECH/HARRIS ACETYLENE REGULATOR FITTED WITH AN ACCURATE GAUGE FOR MEASURING GAS PRESSURE. (RAILTECH AUSTRALIA LIMITED P/N: 78211300 IS THE ONLY APPROVED REGULATOR FOR WELDING PLK PROCESS. USE HARRIS OXYGEN REGULATOR (RAILTECH AUSTRALIA LIMITED P/N 78201200) OR ANY SUITABLE OXYGEN REGULATOR. WORKING PRESSURE AT TORCH Oxygen: 3.0 Bar - 300 KPa. Acetylene: 0.5 Bar - 50 KPa. Measured at the pressure check gauge located on the Preheat Torch, with flame burning, and Acetylene tap fully open. WORKING PRESSURE SHOULD BE READ AT THE ACETYLENE CHECK GAUGE (RAILTECH AUSTRALIA LIMITED P/N 78202500) FITTED TO THE HARRIS HANDLE (PART NUMBER 78200200). PREHEATING 1. Fit the preheating torch support to the rail, and locate the torch onto the support. 2. Adjust the preheat torch inside the mould and secure the torch support on the head of the rail by tightening screw on the side of the torch support. ENSURE THAT THE TORCH SUPPORT IS ON THE HIGHER SETTING It should be 60mm from the end of the tip to the head of rail. 3. Unlock the screw on the torch and remove the torch. (Do not remove the support clamp) 4. Open the Acetylene valve approx. ½ a turn and ignite the torch using the correct 9
tools. Increase the propane and oxygen until the flame is established. Continue to increase the Acetylene until the tap is fully open. Adjust the oxygen until the cone of the flame is between 10-12 mm long with a bright blue colour. The Acetylene gauge must read: 0.5 Bar - 50 KPa. At the torch. You must read this pressure from the Acetylene Check Gauge located on the handle. 5. Place the torch on its support in the mould opening. Now carefully close the OXYGEN tap until the flame starts 'popping'. Increase the oxygen flow ¼ to ½ turn, until the 'popping' stops. This ensures a good neutral flame. 6. Place the sand deflection plugs on top of the mould during preheat to be sure it contains no moisture. Ensure the bottom of the plug is preheated in preference to the top of the plug. 7. The following preheating times should be adhered to: Rail Size (kg) 68kg 60kg 53kg 50kg 47kg 41kg 31kg Preheat Time (Minutes) 7.0 Minutes 6.0 Minutes 6.0 Minutes 6.0 Minutes 6.0 Minutes 6.0 Minutes 6.0 Minutes 8. Use a stopwatch to accurately adhere to the above times. 10
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS GAS Before fitting gauges to gas bottles, open the tap on the bottle slightly to clean. Bottles should be located well clear of the work area. HOSES Use only 10 mm I.D. Hoses. Inspect hoses regularly for damage and note the following: Acetylene hose is RED Oxygen hose is BLUE. HEATING TORCH To light the torch, Open the Acetylene valve slightly and light torch using the correct tool. (Do NOT use a cigarette lighter as injury can occur) F. REACTIONS AND POURING 1. When preheating is complete, remove the heating torch and place the mould deflector plug in the mould using tongs and gently push firmly into position. 2. Place the CJ Crucible on top of the mould and align it. 3. Place the ignition match into the portion (if not done at time of putting portion in crucible) and light it using the preheat torch. 4. Place the lid on the crucible. 5. The reaction will now take place. 6. There is a delay of between 15 and 25 seconds before the automatic thimble releases the molten metal. 11
7. When the pour is complete, wait a minimum of 1.0 minute at which time the crucible should be removed using a crucible fork. (Railtech Australia Limited P/N 82631410) 8. When the slag in the slag tray has cooled to form a skin, remove the slag tray and place clear of working area in a safe place. NOTE: Do not empty hot slag onto wet ground, concrete or into water, as an explosion will occur. F. REMOVING MOULDS AND TRIMMING 1. After the pour wait a minimum of 5.0 minutes before removing the mould clamp and mould jackets. 2. At 8.0 minutes after the pour is complete, and using a large hammer, the top of the mould may be pushed over onto a shovel and removed. 3. At 10.0 minutes weld can be dressed, using a weld shear or cold chisel cutting set. 4. The base plate is removed after completion of shearing. H. GRINDING Grind the rail profile according to Rail Authority s specifications. Based on information acquired from testing and from outside sources, the weld should be allowed to cool to 350 o C before allowing traffic to pass over the weld. 12
I. STORAGE Ensure moulds and portions are stored in a dry place, and do not open packages until ready to use. J. HARDWARE Use only Railtech hardware and keep it in good clean working order. K. PORTIONS. DO NOT use portions if bag has been broken in transit Note: The Wide Gap One-Shot has been designed to utilize the original Wide Gap hardware with the only exception being the preheat tip. The 8 hole rectangular preheat tip is the only tip which is used for WGW Acetylene preheating. No Water Please!!! Keep Dry 13
Nipple Adaptor Part 78208800 8 Hole Preheat Tip Part 78202500 Acetylene Check Gauge Part: 78202500 Acetylene Regulator Part 78211300 WG68 Process Acetylene Preheat Torch, Regulator, Check Gauge. 14
82631410 15
Mould Jackets - Pairs Part Numbers: 82090605 41-70kg WGW-68 Base Plates Part Numbers: 82180310 41-52kg WGW-68 82180210 53-70kg WGW-68 Mould Clamp C3 Part Number: 82250200 Slag Tray Part Number: 82532000 Stemming Paste - Box Part Number: 78203700 Clay Cement - Tube Part Number: 82662100 Railtech Australia Limited Mould Hardware and Stemming Paste File Details Mould Hardware & Paste Drawing 16
CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT Please note. It is the responsibility of the consumer to ensure that a current copy of Work instructions/procedures is being used for all Railtech Australia Welding Processes. Railtech Australia Limited will not be liable for any claim whatsoever for procedures being used which are not in accordance with the relevant current Work. NOTE 1: USE OF GENERIC HARDWARE I. Since Railtech Australia Limited is constantly reviewing technology associated with welding processes, we will not accept any warranty claims against our product if generic hardware is used. Generic hardware, is any component not manufactured or approved by Railtech Australia Limited for welding Railtech Aluminothermic welding processes. NOTE 2: TRAINING It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure operators are adequately trained in the welding process and safety issues pertaining to this welding procedure. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us at Railtech Australia Limited P.O. Box 6211 Acacia Ridge D.C., QLD 4110 Telephone: 61 7 33445444. Fax: 61 7 33445377 Email: sales@railtech.com.au 17