Increase in Tangential Force by Ceramic Particles under Low Adhesion Conditions

Abstract

Railway wheel spinning and sliding caused by leaves on the line in autumn affect operational safety and regularity. This paper reports on results of braking tests using a vehicle equipped with apparatus for applying ceramic particles to rails to enhance adhesion. To ensure uniform conditions along the rails and minimize differences between test trials, low adhesion conditions were simulated by applying paper tape to the top of the rail. The tangential coefficient at the beginning of the wheel slide increased with the amount of ceramic particles applied. The larger the area of holes made by the particles in the paper tape, the higher the tangential force during sliding. These findings will be useful in designing new adhesion enhancers and evaluating their performance.