Development of new materials
The development of new materials is a demanding research project that takes place in close cooperation with our clients. This is especially practical where standard limits are tightened and new solutions need to be created. We have laid this out for you in the example below:
Customer needs: More than 40 tonnes per wheelset during continuous Operation
OEMs and operators increasingly expect high-strength, high-performance and fatigue-resistant heavy-duty wheelsets for loads over 40 t per wheelset, which can also be used economically for loads under 30 t. Since the common materials, such as Class C according to AAR, already show significant damage to the wheel treads at loads of over 30 t, we have developed a special steel in cooperation with our customers.
The BVV solution: Our niobium-based micro-alloyed steel
After a comprehensive series of test, we decided on a micro-alloy with a niobium-base. Niobium is a rare heavy metal which is ideal for forming a high-tenacity alloy with a fine-grained bainitic-perlitic micro structure due to its high carbon affinity.
Our NIOB micro-alloy fulfils all AAR Class D criteria regarding hardness, fracture toughness, strength characteristics and fatigue resistance. Our high-class, high-performance wheels are made from exactly this NIOB micro-alloy – creating economic and resilient freight traffic.