Development of a Low-upset Rail Gas Pressure Welding Method and Trial Installation on Service Lines

Abstract

 We investigated a low-upset amount of rail gas pressure welding method to eliminate the trimming process and reduce equipment weight through reduction in upset amounts. Also, we examined various automated devices and conducted trial installations in service lines. As a result, we developed a low-upset amount of rail gas pressure welding method applied a transformation pressing method which achieves sufficient weld strength for practical use even with an upset amount of 6 mm. Additionally, we developed a prototype automatic gas flow and hydraulic pressure control device, enabling automation of the entire process from the start of heating to the end of gas pressure welding. Through trial installation using the developed welding method, it was confirmed that the method can be applied on site with only simple training.