Correlation of microstructure and hardness distribution of high-speed train wheels under original and service statuses

High-speed train wheels have complex service environments during wheel-rail contact, and a comprehensive understanding of the microstructural inhomogeneity at the rim is critical for service safety assessment. The local quenching process in the vicinity of the rim will cause a difference in microstructure, directly affecting the service performance of the material. In this study, high-throughput characterization method based on material genome engineering was used, the methods for characterising and identifying the microstructure of wheel steel were developed using high-throughput scanning electron microscopy, and the accuracy and reproducibility of the methods were evaluated. A point-to-point research scheme for microstructure image and hardness data was designed based on the concept of statistical mapping characterization. The area fraction of the proeutectoid ferrite and micro-Vickers hardness distribution in a large size range of the key area of the rim and their internal correlation was obtained, these helped avoid statistical and representativeness limitations of traditional local selection analysis of microstructure and hardness. The results indicates that the area fraction of proeutectoid ferrite and micro-Vickers hardness showed a clear gradient distribution, and opposite distribution trend, with a high negative correlation. In addition, by observing the correlation between microstructure and hardness, and studying the evolution of microstructure, it was found that the microstructure and hardness of the rim near the tread demonstrated a significant synergistic evolution law under the influence of service, this was observed both statistically and microscopically. These findings enhanced the application prospects of the microstructure-performance statistical mapping method, and were beneficial in efficiently evaluating the service life and safety of key components.