Thermal–Mechanical Coupling Analysis of Wheel–Rail Sliding Friction under Two-Point Contact Conditions

The generation of wheel–rail-sliding frictional heat is often accompanied by transverse displacement a wheel. To study the thermal problem wheel–rail sliding friction at two-point contact, this paper uses an LM tread wheel and 60 kg·m−1 rail as examples. A thermal–mechanical-coupled finite-element model equal proportion established. direct-coupling method used to analyze thermal–mechanical coupling interface under contact. This considers temperature-dependent material properties boundary conditions, such convection dissipation, in process nonstationary frictional-heat conduction. Firstly, effects different speeds, axle loads, contact modes on temperature stress fields area are analyzed. Then, lubrication cooling modifiers top gauge angle compared. results show that, speed 2 m/s load 30 t condition 200 mm, side rail, temperatures patch centers 813 °C 547.7 °C, respectively. Under operating rail-side 55–75% that top, values 76–96% those top. indicates damage cannot be ignored. With lower speed, response two patches closer. impact more critical than speed. optimal choice overall lubrication, which can decrease 47.2% 56.2%, well decreasing 70.3% 77.4%.