Microstructural phenomena in pearlitic railway steels

The railway industry constantly seeks advancements in train speed, axle load capacity, reliability, and rail longevity. Rails undergo complex and severe loading during operation due to wheel/rail contact, resulting in two main damage mechanisms: rolling contact fatigue (RCF) andwear. Furthermore, frictional heating during wheel/rail contact causes local temperature rise, leading to microstructural processes on the rail surface, known as white etching layer (WEL) and brown etching layer (BEL). This project aims to gain insight into the microstructural changes in rail steels, with a primary focus on understanding the origins of detrimental surface layers like WEL and BEL. By achieving this understanding, the lifespan of the rails can be extended and the maintenance frequency can be reduced, which has significant effects on the sustainability of the railway network as well as overall life cycle costs. Additionally, the project explores the microstructural characteristics of recently developed steel grades with enhanced resistance to rolling contact fatigue....