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Composite sleepers for turnouts & crossings
Composite sleepers are ideal for ballasted railroad tracks, for example in the application of turnouts and crossings. The elasticity of the plastic provides good damping and reduces wear. Steel bars completely encased within the KLP® Hybrid Polymer Switch & Crossing Sleeper reinforce the railroad sleeper and optimize its stiffness. These composite sleepers have the same damping characteristics as timber sleepers, which makes them suitable for 1:1 replacement of wood. An untreated oak sleeper has a life span of roughly 10 years. The expected life span of the maintenance free KLP® Hybrid Plastic Sleepers is more than 50 years, which makes these composite sleepers a good investment with low Life Cycle Costs.
Composite sleepers with a unique hybrid construction
To achieve the required rigidity and strength, the KLP® Hybrid Plastic Switch & Crossing Sleepers are reinforced with 4 steel bars. The steel reinforcement bars are completely encased and molded into the plastic. Lankhorst has developed this patented manufacturing process in-house.
Composite sleepers with proven track record
Ever since it’s market introduction in 2006 the hybrid plastic railroad sleeper has proven itself already at many locations in The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, France, Sweden, Malaysia and many other countries. For example, the KLP® Hybrid Polymer Switch & Crossing Sleeper is approved by the Dutch infrastructure manager ProRail for use in the main track and is being installed as a substitute for traditional wooden bearers.
Connectable composite sleeper
There is also a connectable version of this railroad sleeper available to obtain longer lengths. These composite sleepers are equipped with a connection element on one side and are installed from both sides to be connected after installation. The stiffness remains constant over the whole length of the mounted sleeper, due to its unique design. The maximum length obtainable with this connectable sleeper is 10,4 meter.
