The railroad industry is all about greasing the rails – literally, so tribology (the study of friction, wear and lubrication) is of critical importance
The steel wheels of trains, roll across steel rails and the need for lubricants is ever changing depending on whether the train is rounding a curve, traveling straight, running up hill or down and any number of other factors.
NIU researchers will be investigating those various scenarios, examining the lubricants currently used by the railroad industry and looking for better alternatives, included those that incorporate nano-technology and biodegradable materials
The researchers will also look at lubrication used on wheel axel bearings, diesel engine crank pins and the couplers that hold the train cars together.