Institute of Materials Science and Engineering

Deformation behavior of highly stressed railway wheel steels in the Very High Cycle Fatigue (VHCF) range

This research project investigated the lifetime fatigue behavior of highly loaded train wheel steels in the Very High Cycle Fatigue (VHCF) range. Besides constant amplitude tests, we tested the influence of peak loads on cyclic deformation behavior. We devised a new testing concept, developed here at the Institute of Material Science and Engineering, in order to run high frequency experiments. Specimens were manufactured out of original wheel steels in service-relevant heat treatment conditions. We characterized the cyclic deformation behavior using mechanical, thermometric and electrical methods. We assessed the relationship between microstructure and physical values for characteristic fatigue stages using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

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