This study presents the analysis of full-scale dynamometer tests of railway brake pads carried out in connection with the work on the 8th edition of the UIC leaflet 541-3. The leaflet describes the criteria for the approval of brake pads in railway applications. The target of the study is to develop an extended evaluation method allowing a more detailed view on the friction characteristics of brake pads than the existing method and to provide additional information on brake pad interchangeability. To reach this target a method was developed which combines a rating of the general friction behaviour expressed by a nominal line with a rating of each single brake application. Particular emphasis is placed on the rating of consistent friction behaviour required for railway braking systems operating in staged and predefined brake pressure levels. The result of this study is an evaluation procedure for dynamometer tests based on penalty points taking into account specific requirements of railway applications. The proposed penalty point procedure offers extended rating criteria for brake pads and indications for brake pad interchangeability

Niessner, Matthias*, Hochschule München - Munich University of Applied Sciences, Germany; Huber, Jörg, Knorr-Bremse, Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH, Germany; Spiess, Peter, DB Systemtechnik GmbH, Germany