The Influence of a Crn+a-C:H:W Coating on the Development of Fretting Wear in a Model of a Wheel–Axle Press-Fit Joint on a Wheel Set of a Railway Vehicle

The tests were conducted on a wheel/axle press-fit joint model, which consisted of a shaft and a sleeve. Macrographic observations were demonstrated fretting wear on the shaft surface with and without coatings. In the case of the uncoated shaft, wear around the entire circumference of the axle seat was visible in the form of a peculiar ring of a specific width. The coated shaft surface was distinguished by a considerably smaller number of visible traces of wear. Wear was observed around the entire circumference of the axle seat, was spaced at random, and insignificantly sized areas each time. Micrographic observations with the use of a scanning microscope demonstrated that fretting was primarily comprised of the build-up of the material from both surfaces joined together. In addition to the build-up, surface micro-abrasion, micropits and microcracks are observed, albeit to a lesser extent.