On November 19-20, 2024, Failure Analysis and Reliability Engineering Research Team (FARE), National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) organized a workshop titled “Metallurgy and Failure Analysis of Railway Tracks” This event was a part of project funded by Budget Bureau aimed at drafting inspection and maintenance standards for railway tracks of the northern line which has a high slope. The project was carried out in collaboration with various agencies, including MTEC, NECTEC, Chiang Mai University, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), and other relevant organizations.
This workshop was attended by participants from multiple organizations, including the Department of Rail Transport (DRT), Thai Railway Engineering Association (TREA), State Railway of Thailand (SRT), Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), Airport Rail Link Co., Ltd., Asia Era One Co., Ltd., Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Co., Ltd. (BEM), Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Co., Ltd. (BTS), Italian-Thai Development Public Co., Ltd., and Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, totaling 28 attendees.
Our research team shared knowledge on railway safety, data collection for predictive maintenance, metallurgical aspects of steel railway tracks, focusing on decarburization — a reduction in carbon content in the steel—which can decrease surface hardness, reduce strength, and shorten fatigue life. Such issues increase risks of problems like corrugation, rolling contact fatigue which can potentially cause derailment.
Over 25 years of our experiences in metal failure analysis, we have found that many cases of material failure are due to imperfections in materials, even when they meet technical standards such as chemical composition, hardness, and tensile strength etc. Improper microstructures are often a critical factor affecting safety of components or infrastructure.
This seminar/workshop suggested comprehensive railway inspection techniques using tools commonly available. Participants also examined case studies of railway track failures, particularly fracture failure cases, and learned how to analyze failure systematically so root causes could be identified correctly. Moreover, the workshop introduced a digital platform to collect damage data systematically, enabling a better planning for predictive maintenance and enhancing the safety of railway system. Participants also gained a clearer understanding of failure analysis and problem-solving through workshop in afternoon sessions each day.
Our team is fully committed to this project and hopes relevant agencies will support the adoption of the draft standards for new track inspections and the digital platform for data collection to drive our rail system to meet higher safety standard.
Our team extends our gratitude to QES Thailand and STP Advance Products Co., Ltd., for their support with tools and personnel for this training.
For inquiries about testing, failure analysis, research collaborations, or training, please contact:
Siam Kaewkumsai
Tel: 0 2564 6500 ext. 4736
Email: siam.kae@mtec.or.th
Failure Analysis and Reliability Engineering Research Team (FARE)
Rail and Modern Transports Research Group (RMT)
National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC)
National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)
