INVESTIGATION OF PREMATURE DESTRUCTION CAUSES OF LOCOMOTIVE 2TE116 CRANKSHAFT

Purpose. The work is aimed at identifyinbg the causes of premature destruction of the locomotive 2TE116 crankshaft. Methodology. Macrostructural, fractographic, and analytical analyses have been used to identify the causes of premature destruction of the shaft. Findings. In this work, the subject of the study is not only the structural state and properties of the shaft material, but also the chemical properties of the environment, the working fluid and the state of the working documentation for the locomotive operation. The research carried out in the work showed: 1) the non-conformity of the impact viscosity of the crankshaft material to the requirements of the relevant standard; 2) the presence of more than 17% of diesel fuel in the chemical composition of oil, which significantly increases the friction coefficient in the working mechanism due to the formation of carbon deposit, the areas of adhesion and pitting corrosion of the metal. Originality. A comprehensive analytical and technical approach for identification of premature destruction causes of the locomotive 2TE116 crankshaft was used in the work. The maximum number of factors that could influence the premature destruction of the crankshaft were estimated. It was shown that the combination of factors that negatively influenced the performance characteristics of the crankshaft has reached the so-called «critical mass», which inevitably caused the destruction. Introduction of additional signaling factors (in addition to the noise factor during the operation of the diesel engine with oil contaminated by diesel fuel more than 17%) and fault monitoring in the operation of such large mechanical aggregates will additionally discipline locomotive drivers and mechanics when working on instructions for warning destruction of large locomotive structures. Practical value. The studies confirmed the importance of controlling the chemical composition and mechanical characteristics of rolling stock components and constructions. The need for periodic control of the oil chemical composition is shown. Supervision over the careful keeping of work book can prevent the destruction of valuable structures of rolling stock