Temperature evolution of the train brake disc during high-speed braking

Temperature evolution of the train brake disc during high-speed braking was investigated using in situ experiments, theoretical analysis, and finite element modeling. The experimental results show that the temperature distribution on the friction surface experienced the formation of a hot ring first, then expansion and duration of the hot ring. Alternative hot spot and cold zone were observed on the friction surface, which is attributed to the local contact in the friction couple and heterogeneous heat dissipation condition in the disc. The corresponding maximum temperature in the disc increased rapidly first, kept stable then, and decrease slowly in the end. The one-dimensional heat conduction equation was applied to predict the maximum temperature variation and was found to be in agreement with the experimental results. Furthermore, the maximum temperature evolution and the temperature distribution of the disc at the braking time of 45 s were simulated by the finite element method, which is satisfactory. In additional, the temperature variation caused the corresponding fluctuation of instantaneous frictional coefficient and thermal stress distribution in the disc, which results in the thermal damages.