Development of a method for laser strengthening of railway wheel tread
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15802/tpm.3.2025.11Keywords:
railway wheel, wheel steel, tread, bainite, microcomposite structure, laser processing, strengthening, wear resistanceAbstract
The goal of this work was to develop a method for laser strengthening of the cove zone of railway wheels in order to obtain a bainitic structure and eliminate undercutting of the crests. Methodology. Laser irradiation of the samples was performed in continuous radiation mode using the LG-701 “Cardamon” device (radiation power: 600 W; laser beam movement speeds: 20, 15, 10, and 5 mm/s). The hardness and microhardness of the samples were measured. Wear tests of the wheel steel samples, after different laser irradiation modes, were conducted on the “SMC-2” testing machine using the rolling with slipping method. The research was carried out using a Neophot-31 optical microscope, as well as X-ray structural analysis. Findings. According to the analysis of literary sources, the feasibility of locally strengthening the cove zone of the tread through laser treatment has been demonstrated. Based on a study of railway wheels worn during operation, which exhibit different tread profiles, it has been shown that intense plastic shear flow under high contact stress conditions leads to accelerated wear in the cove zone. This wear can result in the undercutting of the wheel flanges. Originality. It has been shown that during laser processing in continuous radiation mode, it is possible to obtain a microcomposite bainitic structure in the laser-strengthened layer, which is favorable under operating conditions. At the same time, the characteristics of the strengthened layer – such as the fine steel structure, microhardness, and hardness – can be varied within certain limits depending on the initial state of the wheel steel and the parameters of the continuous laser exposure. A comparative analysis demonstrates that both the laser processing parameters and the degree of dispersion in the initial microstructure significantly influence the effect of laser strengthening on wheel steel. A promising processing mode, involving a laser beam power of 600 W and a speed of its movement of 5–15 mm/s, is proposed and is recommended for use, particularly in combination with traditional heat treatment. Practical value. The prospects of local laser processing of the wheel tread to obtain a microcomposite bainitic structure using continuous laser radiation are discussed. This approach not only increases the wear resistance of railway wheel treads but also reduces the risk of crest undercutting during operation. This treatment can be applied both to new railway wheels after traditional heat treatment and during the restoration of worn tread profiles by regrinding in railway depots.
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