Study of wheel wear influenced by tread temperature rising during tread braking

A wheel wear model that considers the effects of temperature during tread braking was established on the basis of Archard's wear model. In the model, the temperature field of wheel tread was calculated using a numerical algorithm based on finite element method. The influences of temperature on the size of contact patch, division of adhesion/slip zone, wear coefficient and wear depth are studied by taking the effects of temperature rising on wheel material properties, such as elastic modulus, tensile strength and hardness, in consideration. The results show that the area of contact patch, wear depth and worn area increase with temperature caused by tread braking. •A wheel wear model considers the effects of temperature during braking was established.•The contact conditions are influenced by the temperature rising during braking.•Wear coefficient distribution in the contact patch vary with temperature.•Tread temperature rising caused by braking aggravates wheel wear.