Abstract
White etching layer(WEL) is a phenomenon that occurs on the surface of rail due to wheel/rail interactions such as excessive braking and acceleration . Rolling contact fatigue(RCF) cracks on the surface of rail have been found to be associated with the WEL. In this study, we have investigated RCF damages of white etching layer in the laboratory using twin disc testing. These tests consist of wheel flat tests and rolling contact fatigue tests. The WEL has been simulated by wheel flat test. It has been founded that the WEL with a bright featureless contrast is formed on the surface of specimen by etching. Rolling contact fatigue test was conducted by using flat specimens with the WEL generated by the wheel flat test. It has been observed that two types of cracks occur within the specimen, the first initiated at the interface between the WEL and the undeformed area, the second initiated at the center of the WEL.
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