Which condition indicates that a brake beam hanger should be condemned?

The indication that a brake beam hanger should be condemned is related to the degree of wear it has experienced. In this case, a brake beam hanger showing wear to 50% of its original thickness is a clear sign that its structural integrity may be compromised.

When brake components wear down, they can lose their ability to effectively transmit forces and maintain safe braking performance. Accumulating wear to the point of 50% loss suggests that the material may no longer withstand operational stresses, which can result in failure during use. Maintenance protocols typically set thresholds for safety to ensure that components can reliably perform their function. The 50% threshold serves as a critical point whereby the hanger is no longer suitable for safe operation.

In contrast, wear to a lesser percentage, such as 40%, might still indicate a functional component that can be monitored further rather than immediately replaced. Similarly, excessive corrosion and the integrity of mounting brackets, while important for overall safety, do not specifically define the failure of the hanger based on material loss like thickness does. Therefore, the most definitive measure for condemning a brake beam hanger relates directly to wear reaching a critical level at 50% of its original thickness.