X-ray diffraction residual stress measurements for assessment of rolling contact fatigue behaviour of railway steels

Abstract

Rolling contact fatigue twin-disc tests were performed on rail/wheel steels from Spanish high velocity trains (AVE). Residual stress profiles were determined using X-ray diffraction before and after cyclic loading. The evolution of residual stress profiles, due to cyclic loading, was analysed in order to study how they affect the rolling contact fatigue behaviour of these materials. This study is included in a major project where other related phenomena and materials' properties have been studied. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.