Mechanism Analysis and Optimization Directions of Metro Wheel Out-of-Roundness
نویسندگان
1 Shanxi Engineering Vocational College, Taiyuan 030001, China
2 Wenzhou University of Technology, Wenzhou 325000, China
3 Shanxi Engineering Vocational College, Taiyuan 030001, China
4 Shanxi Engineering Vocational College, Taiyuan 030001, China
5 Shanxi Engineering Vocational College, Taiyuan 030001, China
doi
10.5829/ije.2026.39.09c.07چکیده
With the rapid urbanization in China, the development of urban rail transit has accelerated, leading to increasingly prominent wheel out-of-roundness (OOR) issues in metro wheels. This problem severely compromises operational safety and maintenance costs. Through a comparative analysis of ER8 and ER9 wheels on identical routes, this study investigates the OOR mechanism from a materials science perspective, employing multi-angle mechanical testing, chemical analysis, and OM/SEM characterization of the wheel-rail contact zone. Experimental results reveal a critical threshold in wheel-rail hardness matching: below this threshold, no direct correlation exists between wheel hardness and OOR. Furthermore, plastic deformation and work hardening are observed in the wheel tread surface, with the severity of plastic deformation positively correlated to OOR progression. Additionally, frequent braking (≥10 times/hour) is identified as a key contributor to OOR. Based on these findings, this study proposes a optimization directions for the wheel-rail system, focusing on improving wheel hardness and microstructural properties to reduce absolute wear, mitigate OOR, and extend wheel service life.