Rolling Contact Fatigue Measurement Systems
Causes and Impact of Rolling Contact Fatigue
Rolling contact fatigue (RCF) cracks initiate and grow long before they’re visible to the naked eye, leading to poor ride quality, accelerated wear and tear on track and rolling stock, and increasing the chance for wheel climb derailments.
RCF can develop at the wheel-rail interface due to a variety of factors including:
+ Shear forces from traction and breaking
+ Ratcheting and plastic deformation from repeated loading
+ Environmental conditions
+ Metallurgical factors
Early detection of RCF is the key to early intervention which can help to extend the life of both rails and rolling stock.
The Right Configuration for your Application
We offer a variety of measurement tools for RCF measurement in rails and frogs ranging from simple hand-held units suitable for spot checks, to trolleys for extended measuring projects, and even self-propelled measuring carts designed for large-scale surveys.
+ HCscan MF – a compact, handheld device for RCF measurement which can also be used to measure the thickness of non-magnetizable coatings and the conductivity of non-ferromagnetic materials
+ HCscan HD – a compact, handheld device for RCF measurement with a depth resolution of 0.01mm
+ HCscan – a compact, handheld device for RCF measurement with a depth resolution of 0.1mm
+ GF-04E Trolley – a 4 channel inspection trolley designed to inspect one rail at a time. The trolley supports 20 different positions for probe deployment to enable scanning of the entire rail-wheel interface
+ GF-08E Trolley – an 8 channel inspection trolley designed to inspect both rails simultaneously (4 probes per rail). The trolley supports 20 different positions for probe deployment on each rail
+ GF-20 Trolley – a 20 channel inspection trolley designed to inspect both rails simultaneously with an array of 10 probes per rail to provide measurement across the entire wheel rail interface
+ GFD-08 – an 8 channel measurement system (4 probes per rail) deployed on a self-propelled cart. The trolley supports 20 different positions for probe deployment on each rail
Measurement Capabilities
Cracks as small as 0.1mm can be detected and crack length, angle and depth reported. Hand-held devices feature integrated displays designed to make defect detection and evaluation simple and efficient. Trolley and cart based systems provide extended data viewing and reporting capabilities through connected tablets and laptop devices.
Video Demonstration
Click on the video below for a brief overview of some of the RCF measurement devices that are available.
The Support that You Need
If you’re considering purchasing measuring equipment from a generalist railway supplier with hundreds or thousands of unrelated SKUs you might want to think twice. Make sure that your supplier has the knowledge and experience to show you how to properly use the equipment in the field as well as work with data in the office.
As actual users of the measuring equipment that we sell, PrecisionTrack staff are well familiar with both field operation and office data processing and have the first-hand experience and expertise required to properly support you.
Request Pricing
PrecisionTrack Inspection is Metalelektro’s exclusive distributor for Canada and the United States. Please use the button below to request a quote or a meeting to review your needs in more detail.
