The effect of rolling direction reversal on the wear rate and wear mechanism of pearlitic rail steel

The effect of different single and multiple rolling direction reversal (RDR) regimes on wear rate and mechanism is studied in this paper. Changes in structure deformation morphology and accumulated plastic strain are also analysed. Evidence that unidirectional rolling sliding contact can result in directional mechanical properties of the deformed layer is given. Results obtained under the test conditions used show that RDR has a beneficial effect on the wear rate of pearlitic rail steel. Multiple short RDR resulted in the lowest wear rate, less than half the unidirectional value.