RESIDUAL STRESSES IN SERIES P65 HARDENED RAILS

This article gives the results of a study on residual stresses in core hardened rail produced by the Nijni Taghil (Central Urals) steel combine. The authors discuss new rail, as well as rail over which trains of various tonnages have been hauled. A comparison of diagrams showing residual stresses in new rail and those in rail over which 152 and 235 million gross tonnes have been hauled show that, for the most part, there is no difference between the location of these stresses in the web and the rail flange of new rails, and those in rails which show wear. However, the study showed that the type and extent of residual stress on the contact area of the rail head is modified when trains run on these rails. Traction stresses of 8.1 kgf/mm2 were recorded on the rail head of new rails, whilst stresses of 4.5 and 3.1 kgf/mm2 were recorded on rail heads over which 152 and 235 million gross tonnes had been hauled.