Alloy steels for high-strength, as-rolled rails

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1520/STP27110S· OSTI ID:6378417

Smith, Y E; Fletcher, F B

A laboratory study was conducted on a broad range of compositional variations of chromium--molybdenum steels for application as high-strength, as-rolled rails. A series of experimental heats was prepared and processed to simulate commercial production of as-rolled 65-kg/m (132-lb/yd) rail, with regard to cooling rate and transformation characteristics. Test specimens were evaluated in terms of hardness, tensile properties, and microstructure. The mechanical properties are related to the observed microstructures. Increasing the molybdenum content of the steel is highly effective in increasing yield strength by refining the pearlite; the appearance of coarse bainite reduces the yield strength. Vanadium contributes additional strengthening, but only under certain conditions where the pearlite is refined. Lowering carbon and adding columbium produces microstructural changes that are not beneficial to the mechanical properties. These results make possible some tentative conclusions regarding the optimization of composition for the commercial production of as-rolled rails in the 760 to 1170 N/mm/sup 2/ (110 to 170 ksi) yield strength range.

• Research Organization: Climax Molybdenum Co., Ann Arbor, MI
• OSTI ID: 6378417
• Journal Information: Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.; (United States) Vol. 644; ISSN ASTTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360102* -- Metals & Alloys-- Structure & Phase Studies
360103 -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
ALLOYS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CHROMIUM STEELS
CHROMIUM-MOLYBDENUM STEELS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
FABRICATION
HARDNESS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
MATERIALS WORKING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROSTRUCTURE
NIOBIUM ADDITIONS
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
PEARLITE
ROLLING
STEELS
TENSILE PROPERTIES