Characterization of the Microstructure Changes Induced by a Rolling Contact Bench Reproducing Wheel/Rail Contact on a Pearlitic Steel

Understanding the effects of wheel-rail contact on the microstructure of rails is an important issue for railway management. The impact of wheel-rail contact and surface preparation on the microstructure of rails is studied using a rolling contact bench. Microstructure changes are characterized by c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Metals (Basel ) 2022-01, Vol.12 (5), p.745
Main Authors: Lafilé, Vincent, Marteau, Julie, Risbet, Marion, Bouvier, Salima, Merino, Pierrick, Saulot, Aurélien
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Electron backscatter diffraction
Electron BackScattering Diffraction
Engineering Sciences
Microhardness
Microstructure
Misalignment
Morphology
pearlitic steel
Pole figures
Rail steels
Rails
Rolling contact
rolling contact bench
Scanning electron microscopy
Steel
Strain hardening
Surface preparation
Trends
wheel-rail contact
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Summary:Understanding the effects of wheel-rail contact on the microstructure of rails is an important issue for railway management. The impact of wheel-rail contact and surface preparation on the microstructure of rails is studied using a rolling contact bench. Microstructure changes are characterized by coupling microhardness measurements and scanning electron microscopy combined with electron backscattering diffraction. This analysis led to a complete description of the sub-surface microstructure in link with the contact conditions. It was found that the use of a corroded layer on the material surface led to a considerable strain-hardening decrease. Lower surface strain-hardening was also found for sliding conditions compared to pure rolling conditions. EBSD characterizations using different indicators highlighted the importance of the scale of investigation: the use of Kernel Average Misorientation led to the identification of larger impacted depths than the Inverse Pole Figures.
ISSN:2075-4701
2075-4701
DOI:10.3390/met12050745