Chemistry of black leaf films synthesised using rail steels and their influence on the low friction mechanism.

ABSTRACT: Fallen leaves are the main issues for train operations in the autumn season due to their low friction coefficient (COF), leading to signals being passed dangerously and amended timetables. The main aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of low friction due to black leaf films, which are often seen on leaf-contaminated rails. A black material was successfully synthesised in the laboratory with water extracts from sycamore leaves and a plate of R260 rail steel. The black powder made from the extracts of brown leaves (BBP) was identified as the key material of low friction by the pin-on-flat tribological test, giving a COF between 0.08 and 0.14, which was lower than the COF of commercial engine oil (approximately 0.14). X-Ray fluorescence showed that the black material was a mixture

SUBMITTER: Ishizaka K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9086331 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature