Traction Sand (Railway)
Traction sand (locomotive traction sand) is dried, screened silica sand sprayed onto the wheel-rail contact point to prevent railway vehicles from slipping (wheel spin) on the rail. It enables the locomotive to gain sufficient traction (adhesion) during starting, braking and on inclined/wet lines. At Seyman Maden, we produce and supply dried traction sand for railway applications.
On rainy, snowy or greasy rails, the friction between the wheel and the rail decreases; the locomotive spins (slips). Applied at the exact contact point, traction sand increases friction and provides increased traction (adhesion), safe braking, performance on inclined lines and operational continuity.
To flow without clogging in the sanding systems (sandbox) and to provide effective traction, traction sand must meet certain criteria: it must be dried and low in moisture (damp sand clumps and clogs the nozzle); it must have a controlled particle size (sand that is too fine creates dust, while sand that is too coarse clogs the system); it must be high-hardness silica-based (providing friction at the contact point without being crushed); and it must be clean, low in dust and free of clay.
Main Applications
- Locomotive sanding (sandbox) systems
- Railway traction/adhesion applications
- Traction sand for rail vehicles (train, metro, tram)
- Safety applications on inclined and wet lines
- Railway maintenance and operation facilities