Microstructure evolution in pearlitic rail steel due to rail/wheel interaction

The microstructural aspects of rolling contact fatigue in rails were studied. The rail track is a critical component of the railway system and its long-term performance contributes crucially to the sustainable development of the railway system. The increasing demands of trains with a higher speed/capacity impose more severe load conditions on the steel rail tracks. Steels with improved performance are needed to meet such demands because the current rail steels are reaching their limit. Moreover, the understanding of the root cause of damage in rails is still insufficient. This hinders the development of new rail steels that perform better.