ASTM A125 — read the full explanation
Load–deflection & proof loadHeat-treated helical steel springs — load and permanent-set requirements.
Railways & metro
Testing Machines for Railway Materials and Components
Railway products combine metals, springs, elastomers and bonded structures, each with a different response to load. DAK testing systems help laboratories evaluate material strength, stiffness and deformation with configurations built around the specimen and the required measurement.
Your testing application
Match the test to the railway component
Metals and reinforcement
Tensile and bend testing support evaluation of metallic material specimens used in railway supply chains. Identify the material grade, product form and specimen orientation, and select the method for the property being reported.
Springs and elastic components
Load-deflection testing shows how force changes as a spring or elastic component moves. Define the installed direction, contact arrangement and working interval for the stiffness or force-at-position result you need.
Rubber pads and elastomeric parts
Compression testing relates the applied load to deformation of a rubber specimen or component. Geometry, contact area and loading history help distinguish material characterisation from the response of a finished pad.
Fastening-system components
Clips, pads and other fastening parts operate within a defined assembly. Identify whether you are evaluating an individual part or its response in a specified fixture, including the load direction and displacement measurement.
Bonded panels and sandwich materials
Tensile, compression and peel arrangements examine different parts of a bonded construction. Select the loading mode according to whether the result concerns the core, the interface or separation of bonded layers.
Cable and insulation materials
Tensile and elongation testing examine the mechanical behaviour of insulation and sheathing specimens. Sample preparation, cross-section and extension measurement form part of the test specification.
Configure the test
Specify the contact arrangement and measured response
Force and useful measuring range
Include both the lowest force of interest and the highest test load. A small elastomer specimen and a stiff metal component may need different load-cell and fixture choices within a laboratory programme.
Mounting and working space
A component drawing should show how the specimen is supported and where load is applied. Include supports, fixture height and the movement required for the test, not only the external dimensions of the part.
Deflection and strain
Force at a stated deflection, a stiffness curve and strain on a material specimen are different outputs. Identify where movement is measured and which region of the response is needed for your evaluation.
DAK testing systems
Choose a platform around your laboratory
Configure the universal testing machine around the material specimen or component, with the appropriate loading and measurement arrangement. Use the published machine specifications to compare force, space and test-control requirements.
DAK flagship
Series 7200 Universal Testing Machine
DAK’s flagship universal testing platform supports a versatile laboratory workflow across material characterisation and component evaluation, bringing flexible programming and measurement together with the required tooling.
Series 9000 Universal Testing Machine
A universal testing option for defined material and component methods. Evaluate its published configuration against the force, travel and working space needed by your specimens.
Fatigue and torsional loading
Repeated loading and twisting are distinct from a static tensile or compression test. Describe the required waveform or torque-angle result when selecting the relevant fatigue or torsion platform.
Standards and methods
Explore railway-material and component references
Use the library to locate relevant material and component methods. Railway assembly tests and acceptance requirements should be specified for the actual product and loading arrangement.
Rubber compression: ASTM D575Metal bending: IS 1599Sandwich tension: ASTM C297Cable materials: IS 10810 Part 7
Runs onSeries 7200
Also testedRail weld specifications
ASTM C297 — read the full explanation
TensileFlatwise tensile strength of sandwich constructions (core-to-facing bond).
ASTM C364/C364M — read the full explanation
CompressionEdgewise compressive strength of sandwich constructions.
ASTM C78/C293 — read the full explanation
Flexure & bendFlexural strength of concrete beams — C78/C78M third-point loading is current; C293/C293M centre-point loading was withdrawn in 2025 with no replacement.
ASTM D3167 — read the full explanation
Peel & adhesionFloating roller peel resistance of adhesives (metal-to-metal bonds).
ASTM D575 — read the full explanation
CompressionRubber properties in compression (deflection at load / load at deflection).
EN 13146-series-adjacent
Load–deflection & proof loadRail fastening system tests — clamping force, longitudinal restraint and pad stiffness (static methods on UTM-class frames).
EN 13230-2 / -3
Flexure & bendEuropean concrete sleeper and bearer testing — static and dynamic bending of monoblock sleepers.
IRS T-12
TensileFlat-bottom rails — tensile testing of rail steel samples for chemistry-property certification.
IRS T-39 / RDSO
Flexure & bendPre-tensioned PSC sleepers — static bending: moment of resistance at rail-seat bottom and centre top, and failure moment (large-frame flexure).
IRS T-46 / fastening system components
CompressionSGCI inserts, liners and rail pads — compression, insert pull-out and stiffness verification.
IS 10810
TensileIndian Standard — tensile strength and elongation of cable insulation and sheath.
IS 10810 (Part 7) — read the full explanation
TensileCable insulation and sheath — tensile and elongation. Equivalent to: IEC 60811-501
IS 1599 — read the full explanation
Flexure & bendIndian Standard bend test for metallic materials. Equivalent to: ISO 7438
IS 1786 — read the full explanation
TensileHigh-strength deformed steel bars (rebar) for concrete reinforcement — 0.2% proof stress, elongation, bend and rebend tests. Equivalent to: —
IS 2062 — read the full explanation
TensileReinforcement and structural steel for railway civil works — tensile and bend certification.
RDSO Elastic Rail Clip specs
CompressionToe load measurement and load-deflection characteristic of elastic rail clips.
Showing 1–8 of 17 standards
Before you specify
Separate component results from system-level requirements
Individual material, component or complete assembly?
A rubber coupon, an assembled fastening system and a full rail or sleeper have different loading and space requirements. State the test level so fixture design and machine selection begin with the right scope.
Static stiffness or repeated-load behaviour?
A load-deflection curve describes the response during that loading sequence. A durability programme also needs the cycle pattern, force range and measurement criteria. Include both if your laboratory runs both types of work.
Talk to DAK
Discuss your railway-material or component test
A clear component description and result requirement will help us focus the equipment discussion.
- Material, component drawing and intended loading orientation.
- Individual specimen or assembled-system test scope.
- Force range, deflection or strain, and fixture-space requirements.
- Static, cyclic or torsional loading and the applicable method.
- Laboratory workload and installation country.