Effect of Medium on Improving Adhesion and Wear Characteristics of Wheel/rail

The effects of sand, alumina particles and abrasive agent on improving adhesion and wear behavior of wheel/rail under water conditions were investigated and explored using a MMS-2A testing apparatus. The results indicate that the adhesion coefficient of wheel/rail increased firstly and then gradually dropped to a stable value under the dry and water conditions. The effect of improving adhesion of spraying alumina particles was the best under the water condition and the effect of abrasive agent was relatively poor. The wear volume of wheel/rail specimens was maximal when sanding. The specimens exhibited serious surface spalling damage and there was obvious plastic deformation. The wear volume of wheel/rail specimens under the alumina particles condition decreased obviously compared with spraying sand. Furthermore, there was slight plastic deformation. The wear volume of wheel/rail specimens was the smallest and the wear surfaces of specimens were relatively smooth under the abrasive agent condition. Leaves markedly decreased adhesion coefficient of wheel/rail specimens. There was a thick layer of compressed leaves material on the contact interface of wheel/rail specimens. Sanding can increase adhesion coefficient and clear out the leaves layers. However, sanding aggravated spalling damage of wheel/rail specimens.