Abstract: Method for raising rail joint welds lying below the traveling surface on railroad tracks by heating the weld by means of an aluminothermic mixture which solidifies after reacting, wherein a) the aluminothermic mixture (21) is used in an amount measured in kilograms equalling from one fifth to one tenth of the weight per meter of the rail (15) measured in kilograms, wherein a1) 30 to 60% of this amount is used to heat the base (10) of the rail in a length of 150 to 300 mm (as measured symmetrically with reference to the weld in the longitudinal direction) and a2) the rest of the aluminothermic mixture (21) is used in equal proportions to heat both sides of the rail web (18), b) the aluminothermic mixture (21) is ignited, c) remains on the rail (15) after igniting for a period measured in minutes which corresponds to 0.7 to 1.5 times the number of kilograms of the aluminothermic mixture (21), whereupon d) the reacted and compacted mixture is removed from the base (10) and from the web (18) of the rail.

Abstract: A railway-track element is disclosed not only for normal track but also for rail points. The track element is formed of vacuum-treated steel containing at least 0.53 to 0.62% C, 0.65 to 1.1% Mn, 0.8 to 1.3% Cr, 0.05 to 0.11% Mo, 0.05 to 0.11% V and .ltoreq.0.02% P, the balance being iron plus the usual production-related impurities. The track element is in the form of a rail made of rolled pearlitic steel. If the track element is to be used for points, the starting material is a length of rolled rail with a martensitic structure produced by heat treatment at least in the rail head area.

Abstract: Uniformly distributed compressive stresses are induced in the machined surfaces of brake drums and brake rotors. The compressive stresses cancel residual tensile stresses induced in the surfaces by machining operations during fabrication. Cancellation of the surface tensile stresses delays formation of cracks during brake service use and extends the service life of the brake drum or rotor. Shot peening is an applicable prestressing process which also imparts a surface roughness that reduces the time required to burnish bake pads to match the shape of the drum or rotor surface. The reduction of burnishing time reduces the amount of surface cracking caused by surface heating by brake pad high spots as the high spots are ground down.

Abstract: In a method for the production of a switch diamond for switch rails and double crossovers with a switch diamond point out of carbon steel and connector rails, the switch diamond point is rolled and submitted to heat treatment, by which the switch diamond point is transformed over its total cross-section into a fine pearlite texture, whereby subsequently the switch diamond point is tempered and at least in the area where the wheels roll over, a material removing treatment for the removal of the wheel zone texture different from the fine pearlite texture is put underneath and afterwards the switch diamond point is welded to connector rails, so that the production of a switch diamond is simplified and heat treatment in a conventional apparatus is made possible.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rail for use in a linear motion rolling contact guide unit is provided. A rail intermediate product having a top surface, a pair of side surfaces, each formed with a guide groove portion, and a bottom surface is provided by drawing from an alloy steel material. Then the guide groove portion is hardened by induction hardening. The side surface is then ground by a profiled grinder having a grinding shape complementary to the shape of a side surface of a finished rail.

Abstract: A high-strength, damage-resistant rail characterized by essentially consists of 0.60 to 0.85 wt. % of C, 0.1 to 1.0 wt. % of Si, 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % of Mn, not more than 0.035 wt. % of P, not more than 0.040 wt. % of S, and not more than 0.05 wt. % of Al, a balance being Fe and indispensable impurity. The rail comprises corner and head side portions having a Brinell hardness H.sub.B of 341 to 405 and a head top portion having a hardness which is not more than 0.9 of the Brinell hardness of the corner and head side portions.

Abstract: A method of air quenching a railway rail with an apparatus develops a pearlite microstructure in the head of the longitudinally travelling rail as it travels under the apparatus. A primary air chamber at a controlled pressure provides air to the top and side surfaces of the rail heads. A secondary air chamber at a separately controlled pressure provides air to the shoulders of the rail heads. More than one quench unit may be used in series, in which case the pressures in the primary air chambers may progressively increase to increase the cooling rate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rail for use in a linear motion rolling contact guide unit is provided. A rail intermediate product having a top surface, a pair of side surfaces, each formed with a guide groove portion, and a bottom surface is provided by drawing from an alloy steel material. Then the guide groove portion is hardened by induction hardening. The side surface is then ground by a profiled grinder having a grinding shape complementary to the shape of a side surface of a finished rail.