Alternative Materials for Railcar Air-Brake Glad-Hand Gaskets

• Author / Creator

  Hernandez Peralta, Rodrigo Arturo

• The objective of this research was to examine the cold temperature limitation of the elastomeric material currently used in railcar airbrake glad-hand gaskets. A test plan to assess gasket material performance was designed based on gasket operating conditions and material properties. Standards, specifications and test protocols from the International Organization for Standardization [ISO], the American Society for Testing and Materials [ASTM], and the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices from the American Association of Railroads [AAR MSRP] were used as a base reference for generating a detailed test plan. Hardness, compression stress-strain properties, and chemical compatibility were measured under different loading conditions and temperatures. For the compressive tests, a custom Material Testing System [MTS] gasket fixture was designed and manufactured. Randomized tests were performed on 30 gaskets provided by Canadian Pacific. Two alternative elastomeric materials were selected through a decision analysis: EPDM and CR. Randomized tests were performed on 30 gaskets made of each alternative elastomeric material. The alternative material gaskets were produced by a third-party manufacturer. Gasket performance and features were evaluated with the same test plan in all cases. Statistical analysis of results showed that CR maintained good performance for sealing purposes in cold temperature. CR was more flexible when manipulating it, than both EDPM and the current material used in gaskets during all conditions. A protocol for testing airbrake glad-hand gaskets in-service was developed based on the hardness test. A group replacement policy simulated numerical example was examined.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Railcar
  • Train
  • Glad-hand gasket
  • Elastomer
  • Cold temperature
  • Reliability
  • Transportation

• Graduation date

  Fall 2018

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3Q52FV5V

• License

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