Ductile inclusions in rail, subject to compressive rolling–sliding contact

• Published in: Wear Vol. 269; no. 11; pp. 733 - 746
• Main Authors: Garnham, J.E., Ding, R.-G., Davis, C.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 28.10.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Contact; Ductile brittle transition; Embrittlement; Exact sciences and technology; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Friction, wear, lubrication; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Inclusions; Machine components; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Microstructure; MnS based inclusions; Physics; Rail steels; Rails; Rail–wheel tribology; Rolling contact fatigue; Solid mechanics; Steel; Structural and continuum mechanics; Wear; Rail–wheel tribology; Rolling contact fatigue; Steel; MnS based inclusions; Microcrack; Solid inclusion; Ion beam; Rail steel; Surface structure; Optical microscopy; Rail; Ductile material; Rail transportation; Rail-wheel tribology; Rolling sliding contact; Fretting fatigue; Brittle material; Mechanical contact; Rolling wear; Pearlitic steel; Experimental study; Electron microscopy; Contact surface; Fatigue crack; Stick slip; Microstructure; Tribology

▶ Ductile inclusions become ‘pizza’ shaped planes of weakness near-surface in rails. ▶ Ductile inclusions facilitate flake crack initiation and growth in dry contact. ▶ Ductile inclusions can initiate RCF cracking in water lubricated contact. ▶ Ductile inclusion number density and size vary signific...