Possibility of in situ spectroscopic analysis for iron rust on the running band of rail

Currently the surface characteristics of rail has been focused on to understand the coefficient of friction between wheel and rail because one of main causes of flange climb derailment and a kind of rail corrugations generated in a submarine tunnel can be considered to be the coefficient of friction. Then some of the influential factors of the coefficient of friction have been identified by findings obtained so far. However, the relation between oxide layer or contamination of rail surface and the coefficient of friction has not been clarified yet. Hence, in situ spectroscopic analysis can be a very strong tool to identify what kind of oxide layer and/or contamination coating the rail surface. This paper describes the importance of the analysis for rail surface to understand the mechanism of rail corrugations generated in a submarine tunnel and the possibility of in situ spectroscopic analysis of the running band of rail.