Wheelsets’ self-lubricating coatings in terms of rail vehicle dynamic properties

Abstract

Exploitation of railway vehicles, especially in the case of goods transport, on lines with small-radius curves, results in accelerated wear of wheel profiles and rails in curves. This results in increased operating costs and can lead to derailments on such the lines. One of the ways to reduce these negative effects and to improve the wheel-rail interaction in sharp curves is to cover the surface of the wheel flange with coatings of materials with self-lubricating properties. Covering the wheel flange surface with a suitable coating reduces friction coefficient in case of flange-rail head interaction. However, there is a question about the effect of the self-lubricating layer on the safety of the vehicle. The paper presents the results of simulation analysis of dynamic behavior of a two-axial coal wagon with a modeled self-lubricating coating and its effect on wheel wear.