Simulation Experiment for Rolling Wear of Wheel/rail Materials under Low Temperature Environment

According to the temperature characteristics of alpine cold area environment, the wheel/rail rolling wear simulation experiment device under low temperature environment was designed and implemented the wheel/rail rolling wear simulation experiments under low temperature environment. The hardness, friction coefficient, wear surface damage of wheel/rail friction pair at room temperature (23~25 ℃) and -60 ℃ test temperature were comparatively investigated. The results show that the wheel/rail materials friction coefficient and wear volume of low temperature environment condition were significantly increased compared with environmental conditions at room temperature. Under the environment of low temperature, the hardness of wheel and rail was higher than that under room temperature environment, and wheel hardening was severe. With the decrease in temperature, the surface wear scar of wheel and rail materials showed different damage mechanism. The wheel/rail rolling wear simulation experiment device can be used to assess the wheel rail material friction and wear behaviors under different low temperature environment.