The influence of brake shoes on the formation of defects in the rolling surface of railway wheels and rails
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/mom2025.03.022Keywords:
rail transport, brake pads, surface defects, cast iron, composite rubber compound, cost-effectivenessAbstract
The results of research into the causes, mechanisms and consequences of defects forming on the rolling surfaces of railway rolling stock wheels and railway rails under the influence of brake pads are considered. It is emphasised that in Ukraine, the term «composite brake pads» refers to pads made of a composite rubber mixture based on rubber (caoutchouc). It is shown that brake pads made of composite rubber compounds contribute to the formation of defects on the rolling surface of railway wheels to a greater extent than cast iron pads. The main reason for this is the relatively low thermal conductivity of the rubber compound of composite pads. Equipping brake pads made of rubber compound with cast iron inserts or a cast iron frame does not fundamentally eliminate their dangerous flaw, namely insufficient heat dissipation from the area of contact between the brake pad and the wheel rolling surface and the formation of defects on this surface. Defects on the wheel surface lead to the need for costly repairs, regrinding and premature decommissioning. The transformation of the microstructure of the surface layer of wheels in areas of defects formed under the influence of cyclically varying high temperatures, which arise in the area of contact between the brake shoe and the wheel during braking of moving vehicles, is considered. It is emphasised that defective formations on the surface of wheels, when in contact with railway rails, damage their surface. All of the above leads to a decrease in the technical and economic efficiency of the railway as a whole. When determining the feasibility of using composite brake pads made of rubber compounds on the railway, it is recommended to also take into account the negative effect of defect formation not only on the rolling surface of the wheels of moving vehicles, but also on the surface of railway rails, such as the «pad-wheel» and «wheel-rail» pairs.
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