ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT: Corrugation removal is associated with significant cost factors for infrastructure owners. The deliberate addition of a water based friction modifier into the tribological system between wheel and rail provides the necessary means to mitigate or even suppress the mechanisms associated with corrugation formation (wear, plastic deformation) and growth. This paper discusses these mechanisms, effects and improvement factors with respect to corrugation suppression at various passenger rail systems achieved by effective application of the water based friction modifier KELTRACK®. Besides the technical background the economic benefits of this sustainable approach will also be analysed and discussed.