Abstract: A rail repair insert enables repair of rails and rail-like structures. A rail defect is initially identified and removed as contained within a volumetric material portion so as to form a contoured void while maintaining continuity of the rail opposite the void. A pre-formed insert is then placed into the void thereby effecting a rail-to-insert interface. Current is driven through the interface as force directs the insert against the rail. Resistance heat and pressure weld the insert to the rail. The flash welding aspects remove oxides and other impurities from the interface, and the forge welding aspects create a robust solid state weld. Excess material, whether flash, rail, or insert-based, is removed during the finishing processes to provide a virtually seamless rail repair. The solid state weld repair insert may be used to repair any number of targeted metallic rail-like structures.

Abstract: A rail repair method enables repair of rails and rail-like structures. A rail defect is initially identified and removed as contained within a volumetric material portion so as to form a contoured void while maintaining continuity of the rail opposite the void. A pre-formed insert is then placed into the void thereby effecting a rail-to-insert interface. Current is driven through the interface as force directs the insert against the rail. Resistance heat and pressure weld the insert to the rail. The flash welding aspects remove oxides and other impurities from the interface, and the forge welding aspects create a robust solid state weld. Excess material, whether flash, rail, or insert-based, is removed during the finishing processes to provide a virtually seamless rail repair. The solid state weld repair methodology may be used to repair any number of targeted metallic rail-like structures.

Abstract: A rail repair method and insert therefor enables repair of rails and rail-like structures. A rail defect is initially identified and removed as contained within a volumetric material portion so as to form a contoured void while maintaining continuity of the rail opposite the void. A pre-formed insert is then placed into the void thereby effecting a rail-to-insert interface. Current is driven through the interface as force directs the insert against the rail. Resistance heat and pressure weld the insert to the rail. The flash welding aspects remove oxides and other impurities from the interface, and the forge welding aspects create a robust solid state weld. Excess material, whether flash, rail, or insert-based, is removed during the finishing processes to provide a virtually seamless rail repair. The solid state weld repair insert and underlying methodology enabled thereby may be used to repair any number of targeted metallic rail-like structures.

Abstract: A system or method of repairing railroad rails which includes a head, upright and base sections. The method includes at least the following steps: identifying and locating a defect in the rail, removing the defect by removing material from the rail surrounding the defect in at least the head section so as to form a void and a rail void interface while maintaining continuity of the rail, filling the void with molten metal having a high carbon content and causing the molten metal and the rail void interface to bond. The molten metal may be produced by gas shielded arc welding. The carbon content of the molten metal is near that of the rail to decrease carbon migration from the rails.

Abstract: High carbon welding electrode is used in the welding of high strength steel using gas shielded arc welding techniques whereby a plurality of beads of molten weld material join together rail ends or fill a slot in a rail for repair purposes, the high carbon electrode avoiding adjacent soft and brittle areas across a weld fusion line which result from migration of carbon from the carbon rich high strength steel to the lower carbon weld deposit.

Abstract: A system or method of repairing railroad rails which includes a head, upright and base sections. The method includes at least the following steps: identifying and locating a defect in the rail, removing the defect by removing material from the rail surrounding the defect in at least the head section so as to form a void and a rail void interface while maintaining continuity of the rail, filling the void with molten metal having a high carbon content and causing the molten metal and the rail void interface to bond. The molten metal may be produced by gas shielded arc welding. The carbon content of the molten metal is near that of the rail to decrease carbon migration from the rails.