DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERISATION OF PANTOGRAPH SLIDES FOR RAILWAY APPLICATIONS: A SHORT REVIEW

High-speed railways have transformed global transportation, leading to increased economic activity and reduced congestion. Railway development is surging in Asia, encompassing upgrades to existing lines and the construction of new high-speed railways. This article explores the materials, processes, and properties of pantograph slides. A pantograph slide is an important component of top-running rails that enables the transmission of electrical energy from traction substations to moving trains. This review presents the evolution of pantograph slide materials, such as metal slide plates, pure carbon slides, powder metallurgy slides, metal-impregnated slides, and composite slides. The characterisations of pantograph slide properties, such as density, resistivity, hardness, impact, and flexural properties are also reported. This article delves into the utilisation of local materials, particularly carbon derived from palm kernel shells and coconut shells, as well as graphene from petroleum coke, for the development of current collectors. These findings may contribute to the understanding of pantograph slide materials and provide insights into the potential use of sustainable materials in high-speed railway systems.