Reliable railcar seals can prevent cargo loss, unexpected costs, and unplanned downtime that impacts schedules and downstream logistics. Fortunately high-quality engineered sealing solutions can improve rail fleet performance, safety, and operational efficiency. Keep reading to learn more about the hidden costs of unreliable railcar seals as well as MPRC Products’ engineered sealing products for railcars and tanks.
The Hidden Costs of Unreliable Railcar Seals
While unreliable railcar seals may not seem like a major operational problem, intermittent or failed seals can actually cause a ripple effect throughout your entire operation. They can even contribute to significant costs that go beyond the expense of replacing the seal.
The fact is that faulty seals can cause a cascade effect, leading to significant financial drains. The primary culprit is a leaking or failed seal, which can result in contaminated, leaked, or lost cargo. Seals can fail due to poor workmanship, natural degradation of material over time, or incompatibility with car contents, such as oils or corrosive substances.
Inadequate seals often result in these unplanned time, labor, and money expenditures:
- Significant fines.
- Time-consuming clean-ups.
- Inspections.
- Increased labor costs.
- Extended downtime.
- Potential reloading.
- Schedule delays.
The bottom line is that faulty seals hinder the efficient flow of goods and necessitate frequent maintenance interventions. The follow-on effect is the unscheduled downtime that pulls railcars out of service, which reduces fleet utilization and can potentially impact delivery schedules and customer satisfaction.
Further costs can come from product loss due to leakage, which can be particularly disastrous when handling valuable or hazardous materials. In addition to product loss, this can also result in potential regulatory fines associated with spills.
Clearly, it’s in your best interest to invest in high-quality seals that are suitable for the intended application.
Reliable Seals Streamline Operations and Reduce Downtime
Considering the significant financial and logistical impact faulty seals can have, it’s wise to have a proactive strategy for preventing seal failure and excessive maintenance. Consider the benefits of high-quality seals:
- Creates a robust barrier against leakage and contamination.
- Limits time spent on clean-ups and decontamination.
- Avoids environmental incidents or spills.
- Prevents product loss.
- Predictable maintenance needs.
- Avoids schedule and delivery delays.
- Greater customer satisfaction.
MPRC Products: Engineered for Operational Efficiency on the Rails
MPRC Products is a leading manufacturer of custom sealing solutions that can handle the challenge of railway operations and cargo transportation. Our seals are made with superior polymers and elastomers that stand up to the intense temperatures, vibrations, and outdoor exposure common to rail applications. We use a variety of methods to manufacture seals, including molding, lathe cutting, extrusion, and splicing. We can also manufacture metal gaskets from metal sheets.
Each custom sealing solution we make is unique to the application and takes many factors into account, including:
- Minimum and maximum operating temperatures and/or fluctuations.
- Media the gasket will seal (i.e., pH, phase, abrasive or corrosive properties).
- Maximum pressure to withstand and/or fluctuations.
- Equipment type (i.e., cargo/tank car, engine components, pumps).
- Static or dynamic application, and maximum dynamic speed.
- Radiation or UV exposure.
We are an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer, and we are also AAR M-1003 certified and a
Member of the Railway Supply Institute, so you can trust our expertise and experience with railway applications.
Railcar Sealing Products from MPRC Products
Low-quality gaskets and seals can lead to serious equipment and logistical problems in rail transport. They are more prone to failure, which reduces efficiency and uptime, while increasing operational costs.
MPRC Products is committed to providing high-quality, reliable railcar seals that facilitate rail operations and productivity. Contact us to learn about our selection of roll and sheet materials for seals and gaskets, our engineering and manufacturing capabilities, or to request a quote.