Characteristics, Mechanism, Influences and Countermeasures of Polygonal Wear of High-speed Train Wheels

Abstract

Briefly introduces the current situation of techniques and applications of China's high-speed train wheels, and the several major problems influencing the operation quality, safe operation and transportation costs of high-speed trains. In these problems the most concerned one is the wheel out of roundness or called polygonal wear of wheel. The domestic and foreign researches the polygonal wear and its countermeasures are briefly reviewed. The situation and characteristics of polygonal wear of high-speed wheels of China are clearly classified and its characteristics shows that the polygonal wear includes 2 to 3 main wavelengths, they are respectively the eccentricity wear (called one-order polygonal wear), 14-order and 23-order polygonal wear (called high-order polygons). A basic condition for the initiation and fast development of the polygonal wear is established. It is found that in several special stages of wheel diameter change the polygonal wear develops fast if the basic condition is satisfied. The effects of the polygonal wear on the dynamical behavior and noise of high-speed vehicle, the impact load of wheel/rail, and the fatigue of the parts are discussed briefly. The basic factors affecting the formation and rapid development of wheel polygons are discussed in detail. Several countermeasures to suppress the development of the polygonal wear are discussed, and some of them have been proved to be very effective in field operation experience. The paper also puts forward the maintenance strategy of the polygonal wear wheel and the key research problems that need to be carried out urgently at present.