Application of SMA Composites in the Collectors of the Railway Pantograph for the Italian High-Speed Train

In high-speed train operation the flexural modes of the collector play a significant role in the vibrations for the frequencies over 40-50 Hz. In a previous work it has been established that a possible way to increase the modal damping of these flexural modes, without deep modification of the collector structure, is to increase the specific damping of the lateral horns, usually made of glass fiber polymer. Ni-Ti alloy yarns can be used as smart fibers embedded in this conventional material in order to make new horns with increased damping capacity, with a configuration of laminated composite material. The first step of the work herein presented consists in setting, through a proper thermal treatment, martensitic structure within the pantograph working temperature range, in order to obtain damping capabilities at low amplitude strain in the range 10(-4)-10(-3). Afterwards a series of dynamic tests aimed at identifying the damping capacity of the NiTi wires has been undertaken. A finite element (FE) model of the SMA composites horn has been finally validated, comparing the results of dynamic numerical analysis with the results of measurements.