High-speed inspection of rails using ACFM techniques

High-speed ACFM tests were carried out using a rotary test piece that contained spark-eroded notches. The ACFM sensor detected the induced notches during inspection at 121.5 km/h. The recorded signal remained unaffected by the increases in inspection speed under constant lift-off. To simulate actual rail inspection conditions at high speed, further tests were carried out using a spinning rail rig and a set of rails that contained spark-eroded notches of various shapes and sizes up to a speed of 32 km/h. Although, the ACFM sensor successfully detected the majority of the notches, the signal obtained was affected by lift-off variations.     

Reconstruction of the rolling contact fatigue cracks in rails using X-ray computed tomography

Rolling contact fatigue (RCF) defects are associated with complex crack networks at the subsurface. A computed tomographic (CT) scanning technique has been developed to reconstruct the 3D geometry of the RCF cracks in the railhead. Sample rails having squats of different severities were taken from the Dutch railway network. Four specimens of different sizes were prepared and investigated with the CT scanner. The detailed procedures of the CT experiment and post-processing work were described. A sequence of high-quality X-ray images was collected during each scan. These 2D images were combined to construct the 3D visualization of the specimen. Various image processing tools were applied to extract and rebuild the internal crack geometries, thus allowing the crack networks to be differentiated from the bulk steel. For validation, the CT results were compared with metallographic observations of the rail surface for all the defects and the vertical section when needed. Discussions were made regarding the proper size of the rail samples and severity of the squats. According to the results, CT allows for a 3D visualization of RCF defects, providing high-quality data on the geometry of the internal cracks. By choosing the appropriate settings and specimen size, CT could accurately reconstruct the squat cracks at different growth stages. This research shows the potential of the CT technique as an intermediate detection and characterization tool among the methods for detecting macro cracks and those for characterizing micro/nano cracks. Finally, a practical specimen design and a detailed scanning procedure are proposed, based on the CT experiments performed in this research.     

SEM/STM studies on the surface structure of a novel carbon fiber from lyocell

The surface structure and strengths of two types of cellulose-based carbon fibers, rayon-based carbon fiber (RCF) and lyocell-based carbon fiber (LCF), were investigated through scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). SEM delineated much smoother surface for LCF, while rougher surface with obvious cracks and grooves for RCF. It is believed that the difference of surface structure between these two carbon fibers results in a decrease in tensile strength for RCF. It can be found from the image of STM (500 nm × 500 nm) that the surfaces of LCF are characterized by bulk structure. Furthermore, it is proven that the bulk structure is composed of the smaller slug-like microstructures, each of which has a width of about 25 nm and length of 150 nm aligned with an angle at 45° to fiber axis when the observation scales down to 50 nm × 50 nm. The distance between two adjacent carbon atoms of LCF estimated by section analysis of STM reveals that no hexagonal carbon ring is formed on the surface of LCF examined.     

A new electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) design for operation on rail

Electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) can emit and receive ultrasound on a conducting sample without contact, but are usually kept within 3 mm lift-off from the sample surface, to achieve a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). There are scenarios under which EMATs must scan a sample at high speed, with the EMAT-sample separation varying by more than the standard lift-off range, such as for detection of gauge corner cracks in rail. A new EMAT has been designed that allows the low weight and flexible EMAT coil to skim over the sample surface, while the heavier and bulkier magnet behind the coil has a lift-off that can vary over 10 mm whilst still achieving a reasonable SNR. In experiments conducted with the EMATs mounted on a train, scanning a rail, they were demonstrated as being sufficiently robust, with an SNR sufficient for defect detection.     

Analysis of the inducing frequency of a U-shaped ACFM system

According to the principle of the alternating current field measurement (ACFM), the inducing frequency has a significant influence on the signal acquisition and the measurement accuracy of an ACFM system. To design an ACFM prototype system with a U-shaped probe, the inducing frequency of the ACFM system is determined through simulation analysis and an experimental study in this paper. A large number of simulations are designed and run to analyze the influences of the inducing frequency on characteristic vectors of the induction electromagnetic field. By analyzing the simulation results, 6 kHz is selected to be the optimal inducing frequency for the U-shaped probe of an ACFM prototype. This frequency is tested by real crack inspection experiments using the U-shaped probe of the ACFM prototype in laboratory. The results show that 6 kHz is appropriate to realize the crack inspection and sizing with reasonable accuracy. The result in this paper will benefit the design and manufacturing of the prototype for the U-shaped probe ACFM system.     

Power spectrum analysis—modern tool in the study of rail surface corrugations

A method adopting the unsprung-mass acceleration signals is one of the essential techniques for the investigation of rail surface irregularities. This paper presents results of the spectral analysis of unsprung-mass acceleration signals for selected tracks of the Polish State Railways network. In particular, the following spectral characteristics of the rail surface irregularities have been determined: variance, spectral power in selected bands (in wave number or in wavelength domains), spectral moments of various orders and spectral width parameters. These characteristics have been determined for the track sections with various rolling surface conditions. The resulting standard deviations of vertical accelerations varied from 7.5 m/s², for the track without corrugations, to 122.8 m/s², for track section with corrugated rails, while the average wavelengths were in the range of 0.055–0.080 m.     

Numerical and experimental study of guided waves for detection of defects in the rail head

This paper gives insight to the ultrasonic wave propagation in arbitrary cross-section waveguides such as rails, with application to ultrasonic inspection. Due to the geometrical complexity of the rail cross-section, the analytical solution to the wave propagation in the rail is not feasible. A Semi Analytical Finite Element method is described as an alternative yet still robust approach to get the solution of the problem. The free-vibration solution and the forced solution to a laser excitation of the rail head are shown up to a frequency of 500 kHz. The effects of different loading patterns are discussed, and experimental results are provided. The analysis allows for the identification of certain wave modes potentially sensitive to specific types of rail head defects.     

列车车轮踏面滚动接触疲劳研究进展

随着高速与重载铁路的发展,车轮踏面滚动接触疲劳损伤问题变得更加显著,不仅影响乘车舒适度,增加维护成本,还会直接危害行车安全,目前尚无根本的解决办法。对国内外车轮踏面滚动接触疲劳损伤的形成机理、研究方法及影响因素进行了归纳总结。车轮滚动接触疲劳损伤形式有很多,根据疲劳裂纹在踏面下方萌生位置的不同,将踏面滚动接触疲劳损伤分为表面滚动接触疲劳、次表面滚动接触疲劳和较深层次滚动接触疲劳。随着冶金和车轮制造技术的提高,由低周疲劳或棘轮效应造成的表面滚动接触疲劳损伤成为主要的疲劳损伤类型。车轮踏面滚动接触疲劳损伤的研究方法主要包括现场调研、数值仿真和试验研究。结合已有研究成果,主要从车轮材料、车轮既有损伤、线路条件、列车运行参数、轮轨间第三介质等方面对踏面滚动接触疲劳损伤的影响因素进行了总结,并进一步提出了减缓踏面滚动接触疲劳损伤的具体措施。此外,探讨了车轮踏面滚动接触疲劳损伤未来的研究方向。     

高速铁路钢轨RCF伤损特征及NDT研究进展

随着我国高速列车的大量开行,滚动接触疲劳（RCF）伤损成为了高速铁路钢轨的主要伤损,严重威胁行车安全。本文介绍了我国提速段高速铁路钢轨的滚动接触疲劳伤损的类型、特征和发展模式。相关机构的调研和分析结果表明,轨头裂纹和隐伤是我国提速段钢轨最主要的RCF伤损,且伤损类型与钢轨的强度级别有关。同时介绍了钢轨RCF伤损的无损检测方法研究情况,重点阐述了低频超声表面波检测方法的研究进展。     

Performance of nano/micro CBN particle coated tools in superfinish hard machining

A two-stage composite coating method has been developed for coating of nano/micro cubic boron nitride (CBN) particles on cutting tools. Since nano/micro CBN particle coated tools are more cost-effective than solid polycrystalline CBN (PCBN) tools, a comprehensive study on the coated tools is required. This paper studies the performance of these tools in superfinish hard machining. Specimens were machined by a solid PCBN tool and CBN particle coated tools with two different CBN particle size distributions: less than 0.5 and 2 μm. The specimen machined by a tool with small CBN particle coating (less than 0.5 μm) showed more compressive residual stresses and less thermal damage below the machined surface than other specimens. Furthermore, the specimen machined by a tool with small CBN particle showed less residual stress scatter than other specimens. The rolling contact fatigue life was predicted by using a rolling contact fatigue life model. The rolling contact fatigue life predictions indicate that the predicted life of the specimen machined by a tool with small CBN particle coating is longer than that of other specimens. The results thus indicate that a tool with small CBN particle coating provides better performance than other tools in superfinish hard machining.     

Multi-coil focused EMAT for characterisation of surface-breaking defects of arbitrary orientation

Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers (EMATs) are a useful ultrasonic tool for non-destructive evaluation in harsh environments due to their non-contact capabilities, and their ability to operate through certain coatings. This work presents a new Rayleigh wave EMAT transducer design, employing geometric focusing to improve the signal strength and detection precision of surface breaking defects. The design is robust and versatile, and can be used at frequencies centered around 1 MHz. Two coils are used in transmission mode, which allows the usage of frequency-based measurement of the defect depth. Using a 2 MHz driving signal, a focused beam spot with a width of 1.3±0.25 mm and a focal depth of 3.7±0.25 mm is measured, allowing for defect length measurements with an accuracy of±0.4 mm and detection of defects as small as 0.5 mm depth and 1 mm length. A set of four coils held under one magnet is used to find defects at orientations offset from normal to the ultrasound beam propagation direction. This EMAT has a range which allows detection of defects which propagate at angles from 16° to 170° relative to the propagation direction over the range of 0–180°, and the setup has the potential to be able to detect defects propagating at all angles relative to the wave propagation direction if two coils are alternately employed as generation coils.     

CO2 laser micromachined crackless through holes of Pyrex 7740 glass

The drilling of glass through holes with a high aspect ratio is crucial for microsystems application, especially in the inlet/outlet connection of microfluidic devices for biological analysis or for the anodic bonded silicon-glass ones. Traditional glass drilling using mechanical processing and laser processing in air would produce many kinds of defects such as bulges, debris, cracks and scorch. In this paper, we have applied the method of liquid-assisted laser processing (LALP) to reduce the temperature gradient, bulges and heat affected zone (HAZ) region for achieving crack-free glass machined holes. The nominal diameters of circles from 100 to 200 μm were drawn for through glass machining test. Through-hole glass etching can be obtained by LALP for 10 passes of circular scanning in several seconds on conditions of a 6 W laser power, 76 μm spot size and 11.4 mm/s scanning speed. The ANSYS software was also used to analyze the temperature distribution and thermal stress field in air and water ambient during glass hole machining. The higher temperature gradient in air induced higher stress for crack formation while the smaller temperature gradient in water had less HAZ and eliminated the crack during processing. CO₂ laser micromachining under water has merits of high etching rate, easy fabrication and low cost together with much improved surface quality compared to that in air.     

An arrayed uniform eddy current probe design for crack monitoring and sizing of surface breaking cracks with the aid of a computational inversion technique

This study demonstrates that eddy current testing can be an effective method for monitoring the growth of surface breaking cracks with the aid of computational inversion techniques. A uniform eddy current probe with 23 arrayed detectors was designed, and pseudo monitoring tests were carried out to measure signals due to six mechanical fatigue cracks introduced into type 316L austenitic stainless steel plates. In the test the position of the probe was fixed to simulate monitoring. The depths of the cracks were evaluated using a computational inversion method developed on the basis of k-nearest neighbor algorithm. The depths of the mechanical fatigue cracks whose actual depths were 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 5.5, 6.7, and 8.5 mm were evaluated to be 0.9, 1.9, 3.8, 4.3, 7.0, and 5.7 mm, respectively. Additional simulations were conducted to demonstrate the stability of the method.     

钢轨踏面斜裂纹低频表面波检测方法

利用有限元数值方法模拟钢轨踏面裂纹和表面波在裂纹处的散射及波形转换,用表面波频谱法对裂纹进行定量分析。分别在试块和60kg/m的钢轨上加工裂纹,对模拟结果进行试验验证。结果表明,表面开口裂纹对表面波具有低通效应,表面波的高频截止频率与裂纹的深度近似成反比。     

Fatigue and debris generation at indentation-induced cracks in silicon

The nature of fatigue in bulk silicon subjected to cyclic loading is considered. Indentation tests with hard spheres of millimeter-scale radius are used to generate fractures principally in {1 0 0} silicon surfaces, but also in selected {1 1 1} silicon, polycrystalline silicon and {1 0 0} monocrystalline germanium surfaces. Pronounced damage accumulation is observed with progressive indenter cycling, as ejection of slabs and particles onto the specimen surfaces. It is argued that the fatigue arises from sliding at friction points within the crack interfaces, with consequent production of debris outside and (ultimately) within the contact. Section views through the indentation sites provide clues as to the material ejection process, involving coalescence of secondary cracks into a primary ring crack to create the slabs. Ejection is facilitated by linkage between adjacent ring cracks, leading ultimately to mass removal.     

PEC thermography for imaging multiple cracks from rolling contact fatigue

With the development and operation of high speed trains, condition based maintenance becomes an important approach for the improvement of reliability and safety of rail transportation. This paper reports a feasibility study using pulsed eddy current thermography for imaging multiple cracks caused by rolling contact fatigue (RCF). After reviewing rail track inspection and RCF cracks, a PEC thermography system is introduced and applied to the imaging of multiple rolling contact fatigue cracks. Potential on-line inspection for rail track is also discussed.     

Femtosecond laser machining of cooling holes in thermal barrier coated CMSX4 superalloy

Machining of cooling holes on thermal barrier coated superalloy components using a nanosecond (ns) laser generates considerable collateral damage such as recast layer, spatter and delamination of the ceramic coating. However, recent studies have suggested that these damages can be virtually eliminated by machining with femtosecond (fs) lasers. A detailed study on the microstructural characteristics of fs laser machined holes with diameters of 300 μm and 600 μm, generated on thermal barrier coated superalloy CMSX4 under various processing conditions has been conducted. Features examined include the shape, size and the surface finish of the hole wall. Femtosecond laser machined holes with a surface roughness of less than 2 μm and no major collateral damage could be generated in coated samples up to a thickness of 1.5 mm. The machining was found to cause minor ablative material removal from the top ceramic layer within 100 μm of the outer edge of the hole. The presence of machined holes did not affect the thermal cycling life at 1100 °C of the coated samples.     

Influence of casting surface on creep behaviour of thin-wall Ni-base superalloy Inconel100

The conventionally cast nickel-base superalloy Inconel100 was investigated with the focus on the influence of the surface condition and the thin-section size on the creep properties. Flat samples with 0.9 mm and 1.3 mm thickness were wire eroded from precision cast ingots. Thin cast specimens with a remaining casting surface were compared with machined specimens which flat surfaces were subsequently ground to the final thicknesses. Microstructures were examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Creep tests in air at 980 °C under a constant load of 150 MPa revealed decreasing creep strength with decreasing sample thickness. However, thin cast samples and samples with a machined surface having the same thickness showed similar creep properties.     

Surface integrity of dry machined titanium alloys

The study is focused on the machined surface integrity of titanium alloy under the dry milling process. Roughness, lay, defects, microhardness and microstructure alterations are investigated. The result of surface roughness shows that the CVD-coated carbide tool fails to produce better Ra value compared to the uncoated tool. Lay is found to be dependent on cutting speed and feed speed directions. Microhardness is altered down to 350 μm beneath the machined surface. The first 50 μm is the soft sub-surface caused by thermal softening in the ageing process. Down to 200 μm is the hard sub-surface caused by the cyclic internal work hardening and then it gradually decreased to the bulk material hardness. It was concluded that for titanium alloys, dry machining can be carried out with uncoated carbide tools as far as cutting condition is limited to finish and/or semi-finish operations.     

Raman study of gap mode and lattice disorder effect in InN films prepared by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy

Raman scattering has been used to study lattice defects induced by non-stoichiometry in indium nitride films grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy with different In/N ratios. A gap mode located at about 375 cm⁻¹ is observed in InN films grown at low In/N ratios. This is in good agreement with the recursion method calculation for the In vacancy-induced vibration mode. In addition, a spatial correlation model has been used to estimate the lattice disorder in InN samples. The shortest correlation length is L = 5.9 nm.