  In the UK Network Rail Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-2050,
minimal waste and the sustainable use of materials are highlighted as core
priorities. The ambition is to reuse, repurpose or redeploy all resources. In
low adhesion conditions, sand particles are used to enhance traction throughout
the network. However, sand is in danger of becoming scarce as many applications
demand it. In this study, an alternative adhesion-enhancing particle system
made of recycled crushed glass is examined in terms of density, size, shape
distribution, mineralogy, mechanical properties, and bulk behaviour to better
understand their characteristics in comparison with the typical Great British
rail sand currently in use and reported in the literature. Their effects on
tribological behaviour and surface damage are also investigated using the
High-Pressure Torsion test in dry, wet, and leaf-contaminated conditions. Both
particle characterisation and tribological testing show promising results.
Recycled glass particles provide an acceptable level of traction with a similar
level of rail damage as typical rail sand. It is suggested to perform
full-scale laboratory and field tests to further confirm this material's
suitability.
