The process was first used to provide the thermal energy for a method for forge welding rails in 1899, when a number of welded joints were installed in the Essen Tramway. The process was first used in the UK to weld tram rails installed in Leeds in 1904.
Further development leading to the addition of alloying elements to the basic Aluminothermic reaction produced a steel with a compatible metallurgy to the parent rails, thus enabling a full fusion welding process to be developed. While early welds were produced by casting the Thermit steel into hand produced moulds encompassing the two rails to be joined together, subsequent development lead to the introduction of pre formed refractory moulds designed to fit specific rail profiles.
While the basic Aluminothermic process still forms the heart of the Thermit welding processes, continuous development coupled with modern production technology, statistical process control and quality assurance, has resulted in processes which more than match the service demands of modern high speed, high axle load railway systems.
Conventional "Flat bottom" or "Vignole" Rails
Special Section Railway rails
Grooved Tram Rails
Heavy Section Crane Rails
Electrical Conductor Rails
In addition, products are available to suit special types of track support, confines spaces, environmental restrictions, and for joining rails of differing types or with differing degrees of wear.
In each case, should products not be available from our own manufactured stock, we will either design and manufacture the products to suit, or call on the extensive range available from within the Thermit Group.