Quantitative and Qualitative Comparison of Tribological Properties of Railway Rails with and without Heat Treatment

Abstract The paper provides a comprehensive presentation of the influence of operating parameters on the tribological properties of the wheel-rail couple. Apart from wear and a friction coefficient, the tribological properties also comprise stereological parameters of flaky wear products. The tribological tests were carried out according to an experimental plan, which took account of the complex influence of operational factors on the size and shape of flaky wear products. This enabled defining the type and intensity of wear, depending on the variable operational parameters. In order to explain the wear mechanism, quantitative, qualitative, and profilographometric metallographic examinations were made.