An analysis of the friction mechanism on brake gear of railway rolling stock

Abstract

Friction energy dissipation at an interface involves a wide range of interdisciplinary concepts. As the demand for higher operating speeds increased, the limitations of cast iron as the traditional friction material for rail transport brakes became more apparent. Only through an intensive analysis of the interfacial interaction between the brake block and brake path could the problems encountered with other promising friction materials be solved. The article deals with the difficulties pertaining to the early composite materials, and indicates how these were overcome by the understanding and implementation of new techniques not previously associated with conventional systems connected with railway braking. Two composite materials, that is 840/N for locomotives and freight wagons where mass oriented momentum dominates, and high friction composite 655/C for passenger vehicles with a predominantly speed-oriented momentum, are presently used.