Recent Research and Development Activities in Materials Technology

Abstract

Since railways began, materials technology for railways has progressed in line with railway technology development. Current research focuses mainly on materials with a long serviceable life, such as concrete or steel structures, and parts subject to friction such as rails, wheels, bearings, brake shoes, contact wires and pantograph contact strips. New materials or technologies are also being developed, among which superconducting power feeding cables are a representative example. This paper outlines recent research and development in materials technology.