Characterisation of plastic deformation and thermal softening of the surface layer of railway passenger wheel treads

• Published in: Wear Vol. 300; no. 1-2; pp. 200 - 204
• Main Authors: Cvetkovski, K., Ahlström, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.03.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Annealing; Annealing softening; Deformed surface layer; Exact sciences and technology; Flash heating; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Mechanical contact (friction...); Passengers; Physics; Plastic deformation; Railroad wheels; Railroads; Railway; Railway engineering; Railways; Severe plastic deformation; Softening; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Severe plastic deformation; Railway; Deformed surface layer; Anisotropy; Flash heating; Annealing softening; Roll contact fatigue; High strain; Annealing; Work hardening; Surface layer; Rolling contact; Plastic deformation; Hardness; Shear deformation; Microstructure
• ISSN: 0043-1648; 1873-2577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2013.01.094

Microstructure, plastic deformation and annealing properties of the material in the outermost tread layer of used passenger railway wheels were characterised. Large deformation existed up to 5mm depth below the surface and material flow, i.e. shear strain, was present both in tangential- and transverse directions of the wheel. Close to the field side and flange root moderate rolling contact fatigue was observed, where also the largest work hardening and shear deformation were measured. Annealing trials at temperatures around 500°C showed softening of the deformed surface layer at lower temperatures and at higher rate than for non-deformed material.