Rail Metallurgy and Processing

Improved rail production techniques provide new options for the rail user. Steelmaking improvements offer tighter composition control, lower levels and more controlled oxide and sulphide inclusions, greater control of segregates and freedom from surface defects. New roller straightening developments offer straighter rails with significantly flatter running surfaces. Ultrasonics, laser and eddy current equipment give printed information on surface flatness, straightness and interior condition. These have come along at a time when dramatic changes have occurred on the rail heat treatment scene. Rails can now be hardened during the actual rolling process. Rails of simple composition can be produced in the hardness range 240/400 BHN as required. The rail user can now choose hardness and geometry requirements over a wide range to cover all aspects from high speed to heavy haul with equal ease and availability and all under the latest quality assurance systems.