Features and Benefits
Longevity
Primix engineered hybrid cross ties will last far longer than conventional railroad ties. This claim is made possible because of the unique construction, which includes high strength steel, concrete and reclaimed rubber and plastic. Because of the very nature of the composite materials, Primix Cross Ties/sleepers are not affected by environmental contaminants, rot or decay.
Durability
In third party testing, the Primix Cross Tie/sleeper has proven itself to be resistant to cracking, crazing, spaulding, heavy impact, fastener plate abrasion and is UV stable.
Strength
With the engineering design abilities of the Primix tie, variables of steel gauge from 11 to 16 gauges, concrete strengths from 1000 to 6000 psi, the Primix tie offers the customer the ability to design the needed axle loads, rail gauge holding and dimensional requirements for any application. Whether mining, high speed rail, interurban, general freight, or light freight needs.
Gauge Retention
With the manufacturing and design flexibility of the Primix Cross Tie, individual customer requirements are easily addressed by varying the gauge of steel, the pressure of the concrete and by changing the type of fastener block. The Primix Cross Tie/sleeper can be designed with strength in mind for every application and location due to its superior combination of holding rail gauge and dimensional stability.
Whether mining, tunnels, high-speed rail, inter-modal, general or light weight freight, the Primix Cross Tie will meet your individual needs.
Gauge Retention
The Primix sleepers consistently holds track gauge without the extra expense of gauge bars. The engineered hybrid design of the Primix sleeper, which includes high strength steel and concrete, will not “wallow” like traditional ties.
Fastening Systems
Primix offers the only crosstie/sleeper in the industry that can be manufactured to accommodate any rail fastening system. With the proprietary spike block, Primix Cross Ties will outperform traditional cross ties whether the application calls for chisel, screw spikes or clip fasteners. This design flexibility affords the end user less on-going maintenance cost as well as better gauge retention for any and all applications.
Fire Resistance
The Primix cross Tie passes the ASTM 302 burn test for flammability with a zero flammability rating. The same rating as a rock. The zero flammability rating is very important when the end use is for urban areas, tunnels, trestles/bridges, or mining applications.
Electrical Conductivity
Third party testing was performed in accordance with the AREMA Electrical Tie Continuity test protocol for both the 10V AC dry/wet and the 500V DC dry/wet, and found the Primix Cross Tie passed without stray current in 4 out of 4 tests.
Insect Resistance
Because of the very nature of the materials used in our unique hybrid construction, the Primix Cross Tie is resistant to insects. This is of particular importance for geographic regions that are affected by the infestation of the Formosa termite. Since no carcinogenic materials are used in the manufacturing process, we are friendly to the environment but unfriendly to all pests and insects.
Sound and Vibration Dampening
The rubber and plastic outer core materials of the Primix Cross Tie absorb sound and vibration. The soft to medium density hardness rating allows the Primix Cross Tie not to crush the ballast, which in turn holds the crosstie in place and prevents lateral movement. In addition, the rubber outer core insulates and dampens noise caused by hard surface-to-surface contact. The sound and vibration dampening properties of the Primix Cross Tie is extremely important for application such as subways, metro areas’ and elevated rail systems.
Water and Chemical Resistant
Harsh chemicals do not affect the molecular structure of plastic and rubber. In fact, you may have noticed that plastic containers are the material of choice for the storage and transportation of water as well as a wide variety of chemicals. Thus the Primix sleeper will not leach harmful chemical into the ground or ground water making it a 100% environmentally friendly product.
Strength to Weight Ratio
In third party testing, the Primix Cross Ties outperform concrete ties with only one third the weight. Less weight, more strength, durability and better long-term stability makes the Primix crossties the value leader in railway infrastructure.
Consistency
The engineered Primix Cross Tie is produced in a controlled manufacturing environment creating a dimensionally stable product with batch-to-batch consistency. Unlike traditional wood ties, whose quality and consistency varies by the age and species of the tree as well as log to log. In addition, we’ve found the Primix Cross Tie does not absorb water, dry out or split thus retaining its original shape for many, many years to come.
Lower Maintenance Cost
The reclaimed rubber and plastic outer core of the Primix Cross Tie, absorbs the weight and shock of rail traffic and prevents crushing of the ballast. Unlike concrete or traditional wood ties, that can crush the ballast causing lateral instability, the Primix Cross Tie/sleeper holds its position avoiding costly maintenance issues.
Environmental
A Primix Cross Tie is produced using over 100 pounds of reclaimed rubber and plastic with no caustic chemicals that can leach into the ground making Primix an environmentally responsible product.
Environmental Economic Consumption = E2C
From an economic point of view, the Primix Cross Tie consumes less new raw materials and instead saves more. By doing so we use less of the world’s natural resources from deforestation, air pollutants and /or pollution of our precious water resources. Primix is proud to claim itself to be a net saver versus consumer of our world’s precious environmental resources.