Modern production technology of trolley wires with the use of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) dies, designed for high-speed railways

摘要

Standard die inserts for drawing trolley wire are made from tungsten carbide (WC). The asymmetrical shape of the drawn material and high cross-section strain heterogeneity results in a high level of drawing force and high working temperature of both the wire and the die. This paper presents research results of a numerical simulation of drawing trolley wire using a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) die. PCD has higher thermal conductivity than WC, which guarantees better heat transfer from the die and thus decreases the friction between the die and drawn material, lowering the drawing force.