What term describes wear or indentation of the base rail material caused by roller misalignment?

• A. Micron
• B. Twist
• C. Leak
• D. Ironing

Answer: (D)

When rollers press against the base rail, any misalignment causes the material to flow unevenly under pressure. The result is plastic deformation where the material is squeezed into the roller, thinning the cross-section and creating a distinct, pressed-in indentation along the base rail. This specific wear pattern is called ironing. It’s a telltale sign of a roller alignment issue that can lead to reduced rail cross-section and eventual fatigue if not corrected. The other terms don’t describe this deformation: micron is just a unit of measure, twist is torsional deformation, and leak refers to fluid escape. Ironing captures the indentation caused by the misaligned roller.