Wear of contact strip in high-speed trains: a review

Abstract

Purpose - The pantograph-catenary system (PCS) plays a crucial role in ensuring stable and continuous current collection in electric railway operations. This paper aims to review and synthesize existing research on contact strip (CS) wear, with particular emphasis on dominant wear mechanisms, influencing parameters, and material performance under high-speed train (HST) conditions.

Design/methodology/approach - A structured and critical review of the literature is conducted, covering mechanical, electrical, and electro-mechanical wear mechanisms. Relevant studies are analysed in terms of operating conditions, including train speed, contact force, electrical current intensity, system configuration and environmental influences. Special attention is given to metal-impregnated carbon materials, which are widely adopted in current HST applications, as well as to composite materials that are being actively investigated and developed for future HST systems. Comparative analysis is performed to identify governing factors and methodological trends in existing investigations.

Findings - The literature indicates that CS degradation results from strongly coupled mechanical and electrical loading, with the relative contribution of each wear mechanism varying according to operating regimes and material characteristics. Carbon-based composite materials demonstrate a favourable balance between conductivity, wear resistance and compatibility with the contact line (CL). However, inconsistencies remain in the quantification of wear interactions and in the standardisation of evaluation approaches under diverse climatic and operational conditions.

Originality/value - This review provides an integrated and up-to-date synthesis of multi-mechanism wear behaviour in CS, highlighting current research gaps and methodological limitations. The paper offers structured insight to support material selection, performance optimisation and future research directions, contributing to enhanced reliability and maintenance efficiency of HST systems.

Keywords

Carbon-based composites / Contact strip / Current collection / High-speed trains / Wear behaviour

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