Coupled thermal-structural analysis of an axle mounted C/C-SiC brake disc for high-speed trains

This paper examines the thermal and structural characteristics of high-speed train axle -mounted brake discs. Initially, investigate the mechanical and thermophysical properties of C/C-SiC composites. Then, dynamic data including temperature and friction coefficients of brake discs under various pressures and speeds were obtained using a full-scale train brake dynamometer. Based on the above test data, a finite element model of the C/C-SiC brake disc under emergency braking conditions at 350 km/h is established using ABAQUS software. The accuracy of the finite element model was validated through experiments, followed by a thermal -structural coupling analysis of the brake discs. Simulation results indicate the highest temperature of the brake disc occurred at 68.80 s, reaching 869.90 degrees C; the maximum thermal stress reached 165.44 MPa at 80.54 s; the maximum axial deformation measured 97.56 mu m at 91.03 s. Although the times at which the highest temperature, maximum thermal stress and maximum axial deformation occurred were not synchronised, the overall trend was consistent. Based on the verification of experimental and simulation results, it has been confirmed that the brake disc meets the requirements of a 350 km/h high-speed train. This provides a solid theoretical foundation for the structural design and iterative upgrades of high-speed train brake discs.