Multi-Factor Coupling Corrosion Mechanisms and Protective Strategies of Chinese Railway Freight Cars
摘要
This study systematically investigated the effects of chemical composition, rust layer structure, and service environment on the corrosion resistance of steel used in railway freight cars through multi-scale experiments (metallographic analysis, XRD, SEM, EDS) combined with environmental factor-coupled evaluation. After 30 years of service, the predicted residual thickness of C80 gondola railway freight cars (S450AW/S450EW steel) is significantly higher than that of C70 models (Q450NQR1 steel), with the residual thickness of C70 doors being less than 20% of the designed thickness. The main compositional difference between S450AW and S450EW steels lies in the Cr content. Cr forms a dynamically reparable oxide film on the steel surface to delay corrosion. Due to its higher Cr content, S450EW steel generates dense corrosion products (e.g., FeCr2O4, CrO) in the rust layer, and Cr3+doping reduces electronic conductivity to inhibit cathodic reactions, exhibiting superior corrosion resistance over S450AW steel. Car body corrosion is primarily induced by Cl− and SO3 in coal dust, mechanical wear from SiO2/A2O3, and high-ion-concentration residual water (Cl− 1472.64 mg/L, SO42− 3030.26 mg/L). These factors interact to form a wear and corrosion vicious cycle.