Rotary-scaling fine-tuning (RSFT) method for optimizing railway wheel profiles and its application to a locomotive

The existing multi-objective wheel profile optimization methods mainly consist of three sub-modules:(1)wheel profile generation,(2)multi-body dynamics simulation,and(3)an optimization algorithm.For the first module,a comparably conservative rotary-scaling finetuning(RSFT)method,which introduces two design variables and an empirical formula,is proposed to fine-tune the traditional wheel profiles for improving their engineering applicability.For the second module,for the TRAXX locomotives serving on the Blankenburg–Rubeland line,an optimization function representing the relationship between the wheel profile and the wheel–rail wear number is established based on Kriging surrogate model(KSM).For the third module,a method combining the regression capability of KSM with the iterative computing power of particle swarm optimization(PSO)is proposed to quickly and reliably implement the task of optimizing wheel profiles.Finally,with the RSFT–KSM–PSO method,we propose two wear-resistant wheel profiles for the TRAXX locomotives serving on the Blankenburg–Rubeland line,namely S1002-S and S1002-M.The S1002-S profile minimizes the total wear number by 30%,while the S1002-M profile makes the wear distribution more uniform through a proper sacrifice of the tread wear number,and the total wear number is reduced by 21%.The quasi-static and hunting stability tests further demonstrate that the profile designed by the RSFT–KSM–PSO method is promising for practical engineering applications.

Combined effect of WS_(2) and Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x) MXene favors oil-based ultra-low friction on rough steel-steel interface at elevated temperatures

The lubrication performance of liquids is severely restricted and is degraded in high-temperature environments. Stable and reliable lubrication in high temperature environments has been a long-standing goal in various industrial fields. In this study,WS_(2)and Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)MXene nanoflakes were used as oil-based lubricant additives to generate ultra-low friction and even superlubricity(friction coefficient of ~0.007) at elevated temperatures(400℃), which has hitherto not been achieved by both individual pristine materials, WS_(2)and Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)MXene. Viscosity and thermogravimetric characterization revealed improvements in the high-temperature rheological properties and thermal stability of the lubricating base oil, indicating improved loadbearing and continuous lubrication capabilities at elevated temperatures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy demonstrated that the formation of an iron/titanium/tungsten-rich oxide lubricious thin film at the sliding interface reduced the interfacial shear stress, which was responsible for the observed friction and wear reductions at high contact pressures(> 1.1 GPa). Although the titanium/tungsten oxide film was gradually removed after prolonged sliding, a sufficiently thick iron oxide film maintained a low friction coefficient for at least 2 h. The improved surface quality facilitates the achievement of ultra-low friction and reduced wear. The proposed lubrication methodology has a broad utilization potential as a wear-reduction strategy across various industrial fields at elevated temperatures.

Movement pattern of an ellipsoidal nanoparticle confined between solid surfaces: Theoretical model and molecular dynamics simulation

The movement pattern of ellipsoidal nanoparticles confined between copper surfaces was examined using a theoretical model and molecular dynamics simulation.Initially,we developed a theoretical model of movement patterns for hard ellipsoidal nanoparticles.Subsequently,the simulation indicated that there are critical values for increasing the axial ratio,driving velocity of the contact surface,and lowering normal loads(i.e.,0.83,15 m/s,and 100 nN under the respective conditions),which in turn change the movement pattern of nanoparticles from sliding to rolling.Based on the comparison between the ratio of arm of force(e/h)and coefficient of friction(μ),the theoretical model was in good agreement with the simulations and accurately predicted the movement pattern of ellipsoidal nanoparticles.The sliding of the ellipsoidal nanoparticles led to severe surface damage.However,rolling separated the contact surfaces and thereby reduced friction and wear.

Improving TC drill bit's efficiency and resistance to wear by graphene coating

Displaying a two-dimensional pure crystal carbon structure,Graphene is the strongest,yet thinnest substance discovered by scientists.Coating tungsten carbide(TC)drill bits with graphene to evaluate the effect of graphene on the wear,as well as the rate of penetration of the drilling bit was examined in this research.Two evaluation approaches were employed:one with employing ANSYS Software and the second by employing atomic pressure chemical vapor deposition(APCVD synthesis)in the laboratory to produce a monolayer graphene coating.The simultaneous software-based and lab-based testing were performed to increase the credibility of the results and minimize the potential errors.Conducting the simulation using ANSYS,the maximum shear elastic strain,equivalent elastic strain,equivalent(von mises)stress,total deformation and maximum shear stress were investigated prior and after the gra-phene coating was applied on TC simulated bit.Total deformation was only slightly increased,while the maximum shear elastic strain was almost doubled,reflecting that the bit's wear was significantly reduced after the coating.Lab-based APCVD synthesis results showed 34%increase in compressive strength of the coated bit,in comparison to the uncoated one.The failure occurred for uncoated bit at 35 MPa,where the coated bit experienced failure at 46.9 MPa.The Von Mises stress test conducted on the coated and uncoated samples also indicated that this stress was 41%less for the coated bit,in comparison to the uncoated one.Finally,two small-scale drilling operations,one using a 1inch graphene-coated TC bit and the other using a 1inch non-coated TC bit,were performed on a granite block,to evaluate the performance of the graphene-coated bit in practice.In a chosen 120-min time frame,27 consecutive holes could be drilled by the graphene-coated TC bit,while 19 consecutive holes could be drilled by the uncoated TC bit,in identical drilling conditions.This implies a 42%increase in ROP.