Abstract: A method for creating a welded joint between ends of two steel rails, wherein the two steel rails have a substantially pearlitic microstructure. The method includes a first heating step, an upsetting step, a first cooling step, and a second heating step and provides a means to influence a microstructure and hardness of an austenitic region of a heat affected zone (HAZ) and/or an extent of softening in a softened region of a HAZ.

Abstract: A method for creating a welded joint between ends of two steel rails, wherein the two steel rails have a substantially pearlitic microstructure. The method includes a first heating step, an upsetting step, a first cooling step, and a second heating step and provides a means to influence a microstructure and hardness of an austenitic region of a heat affected zone (HAZ) and/or an extent of softening in a softened region of a HAZ.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high carbon steel rail with enhanced ductility comprising 0.65-1.4 mass % of carbon, 0.1-1.5 mass % of silicon, 0.01-0.4 mass % of manganese, 0.1-1.5 mass % of chromium, and 0.005-0.05 mass % of titanium, with additional allowances for Mo, Nb, V, Cu, M, Co, B, N, Ca, Mg, Zr, Al, and W, with the remainder comprising iron and the inevitable impurities, that displays a head surface hardness of at least 325 HB and a microstructure comprising at least 90% pearlite at a depth of between 2-20 mm below the rail head surface. The invention also relates to the process for manufacturing the high carbon steel rail with enhanced ductility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rail weld treatment device for improving a resulting microstructure in and around an effected zone of a rail weld and of rails surrounding the rail weld. The device includes, but is not limited to a fixture clamping and centering assembly for engaging a rail head of a rail and a heating and cooling device connected with the fixture clamping and centering assembly to be positioned over the rail head. The fixture clamping and centering assembly comprises an engagement member which removably engages the rail head. The heating and cooling device includes a heating member for heating an effected zone of the rail weld and a cooling member for cooling the effected zone.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high carbon steel rail with enhanced ductility comprising 0.65-1.4 mass % of carbon, 0.1-1.5 mass % of silicon, 0.01-0.4 mass % of manganese, 0.1-1.5 mass % of chromium, and 0.005-0.05 mass % of titanium, with additional allowances for Mo, Nb, V, Cu, M, Co, B, N, Ca, Mg, Zr, Al, and W, with the remainder comprising iron and the inevitable impurities that displays a head surface hardness of at least 325 HB and a microstructure comprising at least 90% pearlite at a depth of between 2-20 mm below the rail head surface. The invention also relates to the process for manufacturing the high carbon steel rail with enhanced ductility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rail weld treatment device for improving a resulting microstructure in and around an effected zone of a rail weld and of rails surrounding the rail weld. The device includes, but is not limited to a fixture clamping and centering assembly for engaging a rail head of a rail and a heating and cooling device connected with the fixture clamping and centering assembly to be positioned over the rail head. The fixture clamping and centering assembly comprises an engagement member which removably engages the rail head. The heating and cooling device includes a heating member for heating an effected zone of the rail weld and a cooling member for cooling the effected zone.