Rail-energy knowledge exchange on emerging materials (ALCHEMy)

为了改善铁路网的管理，并提供乘客一周所需的时刻表，更耐用、更容易维护的轨道部件是必不可少的。有了这些设施，轨道上的通道就会减少，火车就可以自由通行了。该项目的目的是，通过使用过程建模和全尺寸测试和建模，能够有效地设计用于一系列轨道部件的优质材料激光覆层，以减少磨损和滚动接触疲劳发生的可能性。这是铁路轨道中最常见的两种损伤机制。该项目的一个主要目标是在测试轨道上全面研究包覆组件的行为，以验证建模和实验室工作。该技术不仅提高了部件的使用寿命，减少了维护需求，还将通过允许使用较低等级的轨道材料来降低成本，并且最终可以促进现场维修，从而避免了部件在使用寿命结束时从轨道上移除的需要。该项目虽然侧重于铁路轨道应用，但也将考虑并行活动的车辆组件，并确保通过不同几何形状和包层参数的多尺度建模获得的关于包层组件完整性的知识和基础知识转移到使用包层的其他部门，如能源，石油和天然气以及航空航天。

In order to improve the management of railway networks and provide the timetables that passengers demand throughout the week, track components with greater durability that are easier to maintain are essential. With these in place less access will be needed to the track, keeping it free for trains.The aim of this project is, through the use of process modelling and full-scale testing and modelling, to enable the effective design of a laser clad layer of premium material for application to a range of track components to reduce wear and the likelihood of rolling contact fatigue occurring. These are the two most prolific damage mechanisms in railway track. A major goal of the project is to comprehensively study the behaviour of cladded components on a test track to validate the modelling and laboratory work.The technique, as well as improving component life and reducing maintenance needs, will reduce costs by allowing lower grade rail material to be used and also in-situ repairs could be facilitated eventually, negating the need for components to be removed from track when they reach the end of their life.The project, while focussed on railway track applications will also consider vehicle components in parallel activity and ensure that the knowledge and fundamental knowledge gained on the integrity of cladded components through multi-scale modelling of different geometries and cladding parameters is transferred to other sectors where cladding is used, such as energy, oil and gas and aerospace.