The traditional low-alloy steel rose-bow spring of subway pantograph is easily occurred the corrosion and fracture after being used for a central period of time, which interrupts the train current collection and cannot provide power for the train, as a result of the interruption of the normal operation of subway trains. Therefore, an optimal design and improved processing technology for the rose-bow titanium alloy spring of subway pantograph was studied in this paper. The heat treatment tests on the two titanium alloy springs, made of TC18 and TB6 materials, were conducted respectively. The improved process flow of the rose-bow titanium alloy spring was also determined. Fatigue test results show that both TC18 and TB6 titanium alloy springs of pantograph can meet the corresponding requirements.

Lightweight can not only reduce the running energy consumption of the railway vehicle, but also reduce the running wheel-rail dynamic force, and unsprung mass lightweight has a more significant impact. Titanium alloy is very suitable for spring railway vehicle manufacturing. Titanium alloy spring can reduce its own weight and stress, and it has the capability of anticorrosion. But there is no experience in titanium alloy spring material heat treatment and strengthening process for reference. In this paper, the research is carried out, and the heat treatment method and strengthening process suitable for the titanium alloy spring manufacture is summarized. And the observation of the microstructure and mechanical properties test of the spring show that the titanium alloy spring can meet the technical requirement by adopting appropriate heat treatment method and strengthening process.