Increasing the corrosion resistance of the center plate unit in railway freight car

Abstract

One of the most damage-prone components of a freight car is the center plate, which is highly susceptible to wear and corrosion. This study investigated the application of a composite coating based on a FeCrNi alloy with the addition of chromium carbide (Cr₃C₂) to protect the steel surfaces of the center plate from corrosion and mechanical degradation. The coating was applied using laser cladding and subjected to comprehensive testing, including electrochemical analysis (OCP, polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy), microhardness measurements, and microstructure evaluation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the coating exhibited a stable corrosion potential, low corrosion current density, and high impedance at low frequencies, indicating good protection against ion penetration and electrode reactivity, while significantly improving the microhardness of the base material. This study demonstrates the potential of the modified FeCrNi-based coating in extending the service life, enhancing the operational reliability, and increasing the corrosion resistance of center plates in freight cars.