SMALL-SCALE TESTING OF RAIL LASER CLADDING LONGEVITY, PARAMETER TOLERANCE AND IN-SITU REPAIRS IN PREPARATION FOR FIELD IMPLEMENTATION

Yildirimli K., Tomlinson K., Fletcher D., Lewis R.

12th International Conference on Contact Mechanics and Wear of Rail/Wheel Systems, CM 2022, Melbourne, Avustralya, 4 - 07 Eylül 2022, ss.364-374 identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Melbourne
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Avustralya
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.364-374
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Contact mechanics, Laser cladding, Metallurgy, Rail, Rail-wheel contact, RCF, Wear
  • Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

The process of laser clad coating for extending the life of rail is at a stage of development in the UK where field tests can be implemented. To ensure such testing is of optimal value and safety, a series of small-scale tests were performed; i) Longevity of laser clad coatings in service, ii) Tolerance of cladding parameters and iii) Laser clad coating as an in-situ repair. From this work it was found that when cladding parameters are optimised laser clad coatings are shown to have a lifespan of over 400, 000 cycles (compared to 15, 000 to 30, 000 for unclad R260 rail). Poor selection of cladding parameters can lead to flaws in the clad layer, but these were not propagated into substrate rail steel in these tests. Successful laser clad repairs are possible, but are dependent on selecting a clad material with homogeneous plastic strain accumulation rate.