Improvement of the strength properties of the restored wheel set rack using the chemical-thermal method of carbonitriding

Abstract

The article discusses existing methods for restoring wheel pair flanges, such as mechanical sharpening, slag surfacing, and plasma hardening, along with their advantages and disadvantages. Particular attention is paid to chemical-thermal hardening, in particular the carbonitriding process, as an effective way to increase the hardness and wear resistance of restored elements. Carbonitriding is a process in which carbon and nitrogen are applied to the surface of steel, resulting in the formation of a hardened layer that increases the strength and durability of parts without increasing the brittleness of the material.
A technology has been proposed for restoring the wheel pair crest followed by carbonitriding, which significantly improves the operational characteristics of the wheels. During the experiment, changes in hardness and microstructure after carbonitriding were investigated. The results showed an increase in the hardness of the restored samples, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed method. It is expected that the use of chemical-thermal hardening will significantly extend the service life of wheel sets, reduce the frequency of maintenance, and increase the reliability of transport operations.
This work may be useful for the development of new technologies for the restoration and strengthening of railway transport components, as well as for improving its economic efficiency and reliability at various stages of operation.