Development and Evaluation of Rail Steel Grade for Damage Restraint to High Rail in Curve Sections

Abstract

The head hardened rail (HH340 rail, 340HB) which is harder than the normal rail (AS rolled rail, 270HB) is used as the high rail in curve sections to reduce the wear. The HH340 rail shows a wear resistantce effect. However, in late years, the Gauge Corner Cracking occurs to the HH340 rail of the high rail in curve sections with a curve radius of 600 m to 800 m. Therefore, authors developed a new type head hardened rail in this study for the purpose of the prevention of rail failure and the reduction of track maintenance.