Testing laboratory has been put into operation in Aktobe which will become the first certification center in Kazakhstan in terms of carrying out acceptance tests of rails and sections, reported BNews.kz.
It became possible after receiving the appropriate certification in the National Center for Expertise and Certification. The laboratory is part of the construction project of Aktobe Rail and Section Works (ARBZ) financed by Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC (subsidiary of National Managing Holding Bayterek JSC, hereinafter referred to as Bank, DBK).
Startup of ARBZ is planned until the end of the current year.
On the basis of testing laboratory the integrated quality check of products manufactured by plant will be carried out according to 16 key parameters as follows: yield, strength, chemical composition, hardness, length, viscosity, etc. An automated equipment produced in Europe allows to make difficult metallographic, macrostructural and physical and mechanical analyses of materials. In the long term the laboratory will certify not only production of Rail and Section Works but also other producers of steel products.
“Our laboratory will carry out acceptance tests of products according to technical regulations of the Customs Union. Laboratory analyses of hardness, impact strength and endurance of rails and sections are primarily focused on ensuring the maximum operational safety as the plant products are aimed to be used for the housing construction and railway for passenger traffics. The laboratory personnel, who was trained in the research centers of Russia and Italy, carries out first physical and mechanical and chemical tests of materials and performs sampling operations”, – noted the Chief of Central Plant Laboratory of Aktobe Rail and Section Plant LLP Mr.Bekali Turabekov.
After achievement by the plant of full design capacity 93 constant workplaces will be created on the basis of laboratory.
It is worth to mention that commissioning of ARBZ is planned in December, 2015. The total cost of the project related to construction of ARBZ is 412,6 million dollars, over 60% of necessary financing is provided from DBK for up to 10 years. At the present moment the plant is in commissioning stage. The rolling mill of the plant will annually produce 430 000 tons of rolled product, including 200 000 tons of heat strengthened long (120 m) rails for high-speed trunks, 230 000 tons – sections for building industry.