Non-destructive measurement of residual stresses in railway wheels by ultrasonic method

While certain progress has been achieved in the development of different techniques for residual stress measurement, a considerable effort is still required to develop efficient and cost-effective methods of residual stress measurement and analysis. A new ultrasonic computerized complex UltraMARS was developed recently that can be used for non-destructive measurement of applied and residual stresses in laboratory samples and real parts and structural elements in many applications for a wide range of materials. The system was used in measurements of residual stresses in the rim of a railway wheel that was in service without intensive drag braking. The measurements showed that depth of compressive hoop stresses is 26mm from the rolling surface with a maximum value of −60 MPa. Similar measurements of residual stresses in the rim of railway wheel with intensive drag braking showed that the hoop residual stresses in rolling surface layers are tensile.