Proposal for Evaluation Criteria for Checking Deterioration of Lubricating Grease Used on Trains

Abstract

Running gear maintenance is indispensable for maintaining the safe operation of railway vehicles. The lubricant used on bearings is therefore regularly replaced in axle boxes and traction motors, to maintain performance. Lubricant deterioration depends on the service conditions in which it is used, therefore it was necessary to determine a set of criteria to evaluate its state. A series of criteria were formulated in the 1980's based on the correlation between analysis data and the process of deterioration of lubricating grease as it is used, and have been widely used until today as a guide for replacing grease. This paper therefore revises the criteria in the light of current running conditions.