Comparison of wear and rolling contact fatigue behaviours of bainitic and pearlitic rails under various rolling-sliding conditions

• Published in: Wear 2020-11, Vol.460-461, p.203455, Article 203455
• Main Authors: Hu, Y., Guo, L.C., Maiorino, M., Liu, J.P., Ding, H.H., Lewis, R., Meli, E., Rindi, A., Liu, Q.Y., Wang, W.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bainitic and pearlitic rails; Bainitic steel; Bake hardenable steels; Contact pressure; Damage; Fatigue crack; Frictional wear; Metal fatigue; Rail steels; Rails; RCF evolution; Rolling contact; Sliding friction; Steel; Wear rate; Wear regime; Wear resistance
• ISSN: 0043-1648; 1873-2577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2020.203455

Rolling-sliding wear experiments were performed to investigate the wear and rolling contact fatigue (RCF) behaviours of a premium pearlitic rail (PH), a carbon-free bainitic rail (BH) and two standard pearlitic rails (U71Mn and U75V). The wear regime and RCF damage evolution of the PH and BH materials in terms of Tγ/A (i.e. creepages and contact pressures) were compared and analyzed. The high-hardness BH steel presented a wear resistance similar to U71Mn and U75V rail materials, whereas lower wear rate was shown by the PH steel. Concerning the RCF performance, the damage of BH steel (comparable to U75V) was more severe than that of PH steel (comparable to U71Mn). Finally, with the increase in creepages and pressures, the wear and RCF damage of both PH and BH steels increased. These information could provide a guide in choosing rail materials and in development of bainitic rails. •The wear regime and RCF evolution of premium pearlitic rail (PH) and carbon-free bainitic rail (BH) steels were analyzed.•BH steel presents wear resistance similar to U71Mn and U75V materials, whereas lower wear rate is shown by PH steel.•RCF damage of BH steel (comparable to U75V) is more severe than that of PH steel (comparable to U71Mn).•With the increase in creepage and pressure, the wear and RCF damage of both PH and BH steels increase.