Designing steel composition and microstructure to better resist degradation during wheel - rail contact

Lead Research Organisation: University of Cambridge
Department Name: Materials Science & Metallurgy

Abstract

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Description It is emphasised that work is not yet complete but significant results have been obtained and published. Rolling contact results in sub-surface stresses that are repeated on each occasion that a wheel traverses a rail surface. As a result damage accumulates, leading eventually to failure. We have published the mechanism of this failure in a carbide-free bainitic rail and demonstrated that it is totally different from that assumed conventionally for rails and bearings. The results have generic value since carbide-free bainitic steels have wider applications than rails.
Considerable more work has been done in collaboration with ArcelorMittal with a further publication.
Exploitation Route Both the publications and data are available on the web, and the work has stimulated a different line of thought in the context of bearing steels. That has been highlighted to bearing steel manufacturers, mainly via publications.
Wilberth Solano, who was the post-doctoral research assistant, is now employed by ArcelorMittal to continue the work for exploitation, and over the last year there is a contract with the University of Cambridge for him to spend three months per annum to use our characterisation facilities.
Sectors Education,Transport
URL http://www.msm.cam.ac.uk/phase-trans/2016/soft.html
 
Description Wilberth Solano, who is the post-doctor appointed on this project, was awarded a sum of 1000 GBP for his ability to communicate science (http://www.msm.cam.ac.uk/phase-trans/2016/CSAR/index.html) Professor Bhadeshia presented the Larmor Lecture of the Cambridge Philosophical Society where some of the work from this project was included (http://www.msm.cam.ac.uk/phase-trans/2016/Larmor/index.html)
Sector Transport
Impact Types Societal
 
Title Research data supporting "Soft novel form of white-etching matter and ductile failure of carbide-free bainitic steels under rolling contact stresses 
Description The data form the basis of a publication, entitled "Soft novel form of white-etching matter and ductile failure of carbide-free bainitic steels under rolling contact stresses", Acta Materialia, 121 (2016) 215-226. The files are self-explanatory, with images, experimental data including microscopy, microanalysis, X-ray diffraction, SIMS, crystallographic analysis. The folders are labelled appropriately. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/260341 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2016 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact This is difficult to assess until someone refers to the actual digital object identifier associated with the data. 
URL https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.4572