The impact of excessive wear of brake pads in freight wagons on their strength

The article highlights the results of research into the excessive wear of composite brake pads of freight wagons in operation. The results of computer modelling to determine the thermo-stressed state of the composite brake pad with the actual parameters of excessive wear are presented. The calculation has shown that the maximum stresses are 17.4 MPa and they exceed the permissible values by 13.8%. This can be explained by the fact that a decrease in the useful body of the pad is accompanied by a decrease of its working contact area, and the pad bears larger loading during braking.The research conducted has proved the negative consequences of dual wedge-shaped wear of composite pads, which affects the braking efficiency, the strength of pads, and poses a danger to the train movement. Therefore, there is a need for studies aimed at eliminating excessive wear of pads.