Russian steel maker EVRAZ’s ZSMK plant had developed new rails for African countries Two types of rails, SAR48 and SAR57, with parameters according to European standard EN13674-1:2011+A1:2017, were mastered at the rail and beam shop of EVRAZ ZSMK. The products are intended for public railways. EVRAZ plans to deliver new rails in lengths from 18 to 60 meters for African countries in 2022.The development of the new rails was carried out in accordance with the drawings of Transnet, the largest railway operator in South Africa. Employees of the calibration bureau of the EVRAZ ZSMK rail and beam shop developed templates and a new calibration of rail profiles. It involves an increased number of universal calibers and the use of a free-standing universal finishing stand. The new rolling method has improved the geometry and straightness along the entire length of the rails. When developing the technology, metallurgists tested three hardening modes, developed a cooling technology and a rail straightening mode. The new rails are made of R350LHT steel with high chromium content. This affects the quality of metal heat treatment, which in turn increases the hardness of the finished product. The technology developed by EVRAZ metallurgists made it possible to obtain low values of residual stresses in the rail sole, and the obtained values of mechanical properties and hardness on the tread surface and in cross section significantly exceeds the requirements of the European standard. These characteristics directly affect the service life of the rails.
Russian steel maker EVRAZ’s ZSMK plant had developed new rails for African countries Two types of rails, SAR48 and SAR57, with parameters according to European standard EN13674-1:2011+A1:2017, were mastered at the rail and beam shop of EVRAZ ZSMK. The products are intended for public railways. EVRAZ plans to deliver new rails in lengths from 18 to 60 meters for African countries in 2022.The development of the new rails was carried out in accordance with the drawings of Transnet, the largest railway operator in South Africa. Employees of the calibration bureau of the EVRAZ ZSMK rail and beam shop developed templates and a new calibration of rail profiles. It involves an increased number of universal calibers and the use of a free-standing universal finishing stand. The new rolling method has improved the geometry and straightness along the entire length of the rails. When developing the technology, metallurgists tested three hardening modes, developed a cooling technology and a rail straightening mode. The new rails are made of R350LHT steel with high chromium content. This affects the quality of metal heat treatment, which in turn increases the hardness of the finished product. The technology developed by EVRAZ metallurgists made it possible to obtain low values of residual stresses in the rail sole, and the obtained values of mechanical properties and hardness on the tread surface and in cross section significantly exceeds the requirements of the European standard. These characteristics directly affect the service life of the rails.
