Interpipe KLW marked key milestone by delivering the first ULT 35 wheelsets to Kirunawagon, destined for wagons at the green steel mill in northern Sweden. This design will serve as the new standard for Kirunawagon, which produces wagons for heavy haul operations.
35-ton axle loads are possible only in a limited number of countries with reinforced infrastructure and impose significantly higher requirements on wheels and axles in terms of strength, wear resistance, and fatigue performance. Climatic conditions in northern Sweden are also a key factor, given the effect of low temperatures on materials.
The Kirunawagon wheelsets were designed to comply with customer specifications surpassing EN standards, especially in terms of the AAR-grade wheel steel.
Niclas Eriksson, Senior sales specialist for the European and International Markets, said: “The 35-ton wheelset will replace the 25-ton wheelset in their operations. Its design specifies a minimum diameter for 35-ton axle loads, while allowing the same wheelsets to be used later for 25-ton axle loads. This will help reduce inventory levels and extend the service life of the wheels”. (Interpipe)