High-strength chromium--molybdenum rails

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Am. Railw. Eng. Assoc., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7260550

Smith, Y E; Sawhill, Jr, J M; Cias, W W; Eldis, G T

A laboratory study was conducted with the aim of developing an as-rolled rail of over 100 ksi (689 N/mm/sup 2/) yield strength. A series of compositions providing both pearlitic and bainitic microstructures was evaluated. A fine pearlitic structure was developed in a 0.73 percent C -- 0.83 percent Mn -- 0.16 percent Si -- 0.75 percent Cr -- 0.21 percent Mo steel by simulating the mill cooling rate of 132-lb/yd (65.5-kg/m) rail. Two 100-ton commercial heats were made of this approximate composition and processed into 132-lb/yd (65.5-kg/m) rail. Samples tested in the laboratory ranged from 109 to 125 ksi (750 to 860 N/mm/sup 2/) in yield strength. The chromium-molybdenum rails also exhibited excellent fracture toughness and fatigue properties. Sections of the rail were joined by both flash-butt welding and thermite welding. The hardness peaks produced in the flash-butt welds could be reduced by applying either a postweld current or an induction heating cycle. The high-strength chromium-molybdenum rails have been in service for over eight months in curved sections of an ore railway that carries over 55 million gross long tons per year. 7 tables, 18 figs.

• OSTI ID: 7260550
• Journal Information: Am. Railw. Eng. Assoc., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Railw. Eng. Assoc., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 658; ISSN ARWBA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360103* -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
ALLOYS
CARBON ADDITIONS
CHROMIUM ADDITIONS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
FABRICATION
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
JOINING
MANGANESE ADDITIONS
MANGANESE ALLOYS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MOLYBDENUM ADDITIONS
MOLYBDENUM ALLOYS
SILICON ADDITIONS
SILICON ALLOYS
STEELS
WELDING
YIELD STRENGTH