Forged railway wheelsets—consisting of forged wheels and forged axles—are engineered for high strength, fatigue resistance, and long service life, particularly under heavy loads and high speeds. The strength parameters depend on the material used (often high-quality alloy steels), the manufacturing process (e.g., forging + heat treatment), and the application (freight, passenger, high-speed, or locomotive).
2. Materials Used in Forged Wheelsets
| Part | Material Type | Common Grades (China & International) |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel | Forged Carbon Steel | AAR Class C, ER7/ER8, LZ50, CL60,AAR-B |
| Axle | Forged Alloy Steel | 30CrMoA, A1N, EA4T, 42CrMo, 25CrMo4,EA4T, EA1N, AAR-F |
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Forging refines grain structure and removes internal defects, greatly improving mechanical properties.
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Heat Treatment (quenching + tempering) enhances hardness and fatigue strength.
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3. Design Standards and Safety Margins
Forged wheelsets are designed to meet or exceed national and international standards:
Standard Description UIC 810 / UIC 811 European standard for wheels and axles TB/T 2817 / TB/T 2344 Chinese standards for railway axles and wheels AAR M-101 (USA) Forged steel wheel specs EN 13261 / EN 13262 EU specs for axles and wheels Design Safety Factors:
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Usually 1.5–2.0 times the maximum load for static strength
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Fatigue safety factors are incorporated for ≥10⁷ cycles
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