INVESTIGATION OF RAIL HEAD HARDNESS

Transverse rail head specimens were taken from three pieces of rail, 131-lb., 140-lb., and 155-lb. sections received for examination of failure. Hardness readings were taken from the running surface toward the interior of the rail head for a distance of approximately 1/2 inch. The hardness on the gauge side was usually maximum at 1/16 inch to 3/32 inch below the running surface, with slightly lower hardness between this point and the surface of the rail head. It is concluded that where rails have experienced sufficient traffic under heavy loads to develop approximately 1/8 inch head wear the hardened metal resulting from cold work extends 1/8" to 3/16" below the surface with a maximum hardness at a depth of 1/16" to 3/32". Rail grinding to a depth of .007" to .010" should cause no anxiety with respect to loss of surface hardness with such rails.

• Corporate Authors:

  Penn Central Transportation Company

  Transportation Center, 6 Penn Center Plaza
  Philadelphia, PA  United States  19104
• Authors:
  • Code, C J
• Publication Date: 1960-4-27

Media Info

• Pagination: 2 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete hardening; Dynamic loads; Failure; Hardness; Maintenance of way; Railroad rails; Technology
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Rail failure
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00040292
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Test No. 745 Test Rpt
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM