The Development History of Train Wheel Materials
The development of train wheel materials has evolved from cast iron to alloy steel and then to carbon microalloyed steel. The core objectives were to improve strength, wear resistance, fatigue resistance, and operational safety.
Early train wheels were made of cast iron, which had a simple structure but was brittle and prone to wear. With increasing demands for load capacity and speed, the focus gradually shifted to carbon steel and alloy steel materials, such as standard grades CL60, CL70, and 42CrMo, significantly enhancing the overall performance of the wheels.
With the advent of high-speed rail, traditional wheel materials could no longer meet the operational requirements of speeds exceeding 300 km/h. Through the 11th Five-Year Plan National Science and Technology Support Program, China developed high-speed train wheels made of medium-carbon microalloyed steel, such as the D1 and D2 types, which possess the characteristics of "hard on the outside and tough on the inside," resisting high-load wear while effectively cushioning impacts and preventing breakage.
In 2017, Kingrail Parts obtained CRCC certification for its 350 km/h high-speed train wheels, becoming the first domestic company to possess commercial qualifications. In 2024, the Fuxing bullet train, equipped entirely with domestically produced high-speed train wheels, entered service and achieved its goal of 600,000 kilometers of safe service, marking the complete localization and internationalization of China's high-speed train wheels.
Furthermore, 2205 duplex stainless steel is used to enhance corrosion resistance under special operating conditions, making it suitable for harsh environment lines.
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