Mechanical behavior of wheel steels with solid solution and precipitation hardening

Purpose: The aim of the proposed research is to investigate operational properties of a wheel steel treated with simultaneous solid solution and precipitation hardening at various carbon content, in comparison with the standard wheel grade T steel. Design/methodology/approach: The mechanical behaviour of wheel steels with increased content of silicon, manganese, vanadium, and nitrogen at various carbon content has been investigated and compared to that of the standard high-strength wheel grade T steel. The steels were undergo thermal treatment due to austenitic heating up to a temperature of 950ºС with cooling down in water to 550ºС followed by intense blowing of blanks in the air. After that, a tempering was performed at a temperature in the range of 450-650ºС. Static strength (UTS), relative elongation (TEL), impact toughness tests (KCV) were determined on standard specimens. The characteristics of Mode I fatigue crack growth resistance of steel were determined on the basis of fatigue macrocrack growth rate diagrams da/dN–KІ, obtained by the standard method on compact specimens with the thickness of 10 mm at a frequency of 10-15 Hz and the stress ratio R = 0.1 and R = 0.5 of the loading cycle. The characteristics of Mode II fatigue crack growth resistance were determined on the basis of da/dN–KІІ diagrams, obtained earlier method on edge notched specimens with the thickness 3.2 mm at a frequency of 10-15 Hz and R = –1 taking account of the crack face friction. Rolling contact fatigue testing was carried out on the model specimens. Findings: The regularities of the change of mechanical characteristics of the high-strength wheel steel with simultaneous solid solution and precipitation hardening at lowered carbon content under static, impact and cyclic loading are studied. Research limitations/implications: The results obtained using laboratory samples should be checked during a real railway wheels investigation. Practical implications: The investigated steel with simultaneous solid solution and precipitation hardening provides high wear resistance of the tread surface and damage resistance determined on the model wheels. Originality/value: A steel with solid solution hardening due to increased content of silicon (up to 0.7%) and manganese (up to 0.8%) and also with precipitation hardening (at optimal content of vanadium and nitrogen [V‧N]‧104 = 28.9%) at lowered carbon content (0.52) possesses high strength and fatigue fracture toughness in cases of Mode