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Brake Rigging Rod Alloy
https://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47469
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Author:  jayrod [ Sat Jul 01, 2023 4:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Brake Rigging Rod Alloy

Another brake question. It never ends…. But at least I’m learning as I go. The Pullman I’ve been working on broke a brake rigging rod. Apparently cracked sometime and finally broke. Is there a specific alloy for the round bar? Rod is slightly bent so weld-on splice likely won’t do, at least in my book.

Author:  Kelly Anderson [ Sat Jul 01, 2023 4:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Brake Rigging Rod Alloy

.

Author:  softwerkslex [ Sat Jul 01, 2023 5:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Brake Rigging Rod Alloy

jayrod wrote:
Another brake question. It never ends…. But at least I’m learning as I go. The Pullman I’ve been working on broke a brake rigging rod. Apparently cracked sometime and finally broke. Is there a specific alloy for the round bar? Rod is slightly bent so weld-on splice likely won’t do, at least in my book.


Well, we had an old brake rod in our scrap pile, and I cut a slice of it off for what I don't remember. I put it in the lathe, and started turning it, and found a hidden fissure right through the middle!

So I wouldn't put too much confidence in the quality of brake rod material.

Author:  QJdriver [ Sat Jul 01, 2023 5:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Brake Rigging Rod Alloy

In my infinite wisdom, I suggest 4140 heat treated...

Author:  jayrod [ Sat Jul 01, 2023 9:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Brake Rigging Rod Alloy

Quote:
Well, we had an old brake rod in our scrap pile, and I cut a slice of it off for what I don't remember. I put it in the lathe, and started turning it, and found a hidden fissure right through the middle!

So I wouldn't put too much confidence in the quality of brake rod material.


This rod looked like it had a longitudinal crack that corroded into some kind of occlusion in the middle. The break didn’t look like a normal break you’d see when steel fractures like that under tension. It was kind of lumpy, almost crystalline. Acquiring a bend in that area didn’t help much, either. So yeah, not a quality piece.

It’s a 1921 vintage car. Don’t know the vintage of the rod.

Author:  David Johnston [ Sun Jul 02, 2023 2:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Brake Rigging Rod Alloy

The design requirements assume the material will be A-33, wrought iron. The yield strength used in design is 10,000 psi, giving a safety factor of about three. But actual construction these days uses A-36.

Author:  jayrod [ Sun Jul 02, 2023 7:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Brake Rigging Rod Alloy

David Johnston wrote:
The design requirements assume the material will be A-33, wrought iron. The yield strength used in design is 10,000 psi, giving a safety factor of about three. But actual construction these days uses A-36.


That explains the look of the broken ends. My brain didn’t even think “wrought iron”. If I recall somewhat correctly, it doesn’t like getting bent so that could ultimately explain the failure.

Author:  PCook [ Sun Jul 02, 2023 10:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Brake Rigging Rod Alloy

Expanding on Sammy's post, a major locomotive builder also listed 4140H as being a suitable material for this type of application.

PC

Author:  Kelly Anderson [ Sun Jul 02, 2023 11:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Brake Rigging Rod Alloy

.

Author:  jayrod [ Sun Jul 02, 2023 2:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Brake Rigging Rod Alloy

After looking up the properties, I’m going to agree with David and Kelly. A36 is common, easy to work with and with the size of these rods - they’re huge compared to freight cars - I don’t see breaking it again unless the welds on the jaws are poor.

Thanks for your responses.

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