Lifetime Extension of Rail Brake Discs by Laser Cladding

人们不断要求为轨道车辆开发新的制动盘解决方案，在不大幅增加总体成本的情况下，提供更好的摩擦性能、更长的使用寿命和更低的总质量。这项可行性研究将检验利用激光熔覆工艺将新型先进陶瓷颗粒增强金属基复合材料用作改善盘片摩擦磨损表面的潜力。它还将研究在使用寿命结束时重新制造磨损的圆盘并将其翻新到一个标准以允许其重新插入使用的可行性，以及添加改进的性能摩擦覆层。这一过程将在全尺寸磨损圆盘上进行演示，并进行全面的成本效益分析，以评估这一方法的商业可行性，预计这将有助于显著降低运营成本和碳足迹。

There is an ongoing requirement to develop new brake disc solutions for rail vehicles which offer improved frictional performance, longer service life and lower overall mass without hugely increasing the overall cost. This feasibility study will examine the potential of using the laser cladding process to apply novel advanced ceramic particle reinforced metal matrix composite material as an improved frictional wear surface to discs. It will also examine the feasibility of remanufacturing worn discs at the end of their service lifetime and refurbishing them to a standard to allow their re-insertion back into service, coupled with the addition of the improved performance friction cladding. The process will be demonstrated on full size worn discs and a full cost benefit analysis conducted to assess the commercial viability of this approach, which is expected to contribute significant reductions in operational costs and carbon footprint.