Investigating Fluid Penetration of Rolling Contact Fatigue Cracks in Rails Using a Newly Developed Full-Scale Test Facility

This paper examines fluid penetration of surface breaking rolling contact fatigue cracks in rails, believed to be a factor in cracks growing to dangerous lengths. While the authors note that laboratory twin disc contact simulations have proven fluid entry to be a significant factor in surface breaking cracks, they have not seen direct evidence showing fluid penetration of cracks in full-scale rail-wheel contacts. This research explores the widely held supposition that laboratory results regarding fluid entry will be readily translatable to full-scale cases. In their investigation, the authors remove cracked rails — showing a range of rolling contact fatigue severity — from mainline railway track. The rails are then re-installed at a newly developed test facility, where ultraviolet and visible light are used to assess the degree by which marker fluids have entered the surface breaking cracks. Results show good evidence of fluid penetration for one of the marker fluids. However, the second fluid shows no evidence of its presence inside the cracks. The authors discuss in detail the possible reasons behind this behavioral difference.

Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/09544097
Authors:
- Fletcher, D I
- Hyde, P
- Kapoor, A
Publication Date: 2007-3

Language

English

Media Info

Media Type: Print
Features: Figures; Illustrations; Photos; References; Tables;
Pagination: pp 35-44
Serial:
- Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit
- Volume: 221
- Issue Number: 1
- Publisher: Sage Publications Limited
- ISSN: 0954-4097
- EISSN: 2041-3017
- Serial URL: http://pif.sagepub.com/content/current

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Cracking; Fluid dynamics; Fluids; Laboratory studies; Light; Penetration resistance; Prototype tests; Rail (Railroads); Rolling contact; Surface dynamics; Test facilities; Ultraviolet light
Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Materials; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 01051761
Record Type: Publication
Files: TRIS
Created Date: Jun 3 2007 8:48PM