SUSU scientists have developed an innovative composition to reduce wheel friction on trains

Scientists from South Ural State University proposed to use new effective material for rail lubrication. The hybrid rail lubricator is easy to use, and it protects not only the train wheels from wear but also the curved track and the switch. The scientists are going to test the lubrication substance on the Sverdlovsk railway.

An innovative lubricant composition will be used on the Sverdlovsk railway. The researchers, associate professors of the Faculty of Automotive Engineering of the SUSU Institute of Engineering and Technology, Igor Mukhortov, and Igor Levanov, attempted to improve the process of applying lubricant to the wheel surface and proposed an appropriate substance.

The grease reduces friction between the railway vehicles' wheels and the rails when cornering, to prevent shaking, energy loss, and wheel wear. However, hard samples do not lubricate the side parts of the wheels and the running surface of the rails, while soft samples are consumed quickly. At high sliding speeds, the rough steel breaks down the lubricant cake and splashes the contents.

"The lubricant effectiveness is not as important as the way it is applied to the wheel surface. Therefore, we decided to place a relatively soft and effective lubricant in a shell of hard, but non-abrasive material. The advantage of the block-type rail lubricator is not only in its efficiency but also in its prevalence. The technology requires no changes in the design of the rail lubricating equipment" - Ph.D. Igor Mukhortov commented.

The rail lubricator also protects the curved part of the track and the arrow. However, the main estimated properties of the substance are wheelset wear and lubricant consumption. Samples of solid-plastic grease with effective compounds have been successfully tested. They were made in the Laboratory of Consumables, and tested in the Laboratory of Tribotechnics using friction machines and other auxiliary equipment. The divisions belong to the Faculty of Automotive Engineering. Experimental tests on the railroad will begin later.

Scientists of the South Ural State University were involved in the process by IntelRoss LLC. The company is engaged in the manufacture of solid lubricants. In early 2020, this company and SUSU signed a cooperation agreement.

South Ural State University is a university of digital transformations. Innovative research is carried out in most of the priority areas of the development of science and technology. Following the strategies of scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation, the university is focused on the development of large scientific interdisciplinary projects in the field of the digital industry, materials science, and ecology. Within the framework of these directions, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, energy, housing and communal services, safe space of urban infrastructure, and human comfort are investigated.

SUSU is a member of the 5-100 Project, intended to enhance the competitiveness of Russian universities among the world's leading research and educational centers.

Provided by South Ural State University