Experimental investigation on the fatigue and fracture properties of a fine pearlitic rail steel

Journal Article (2024)
Author(s)

Davide Leonetti (Eindhoven University of Technology)

Bart Schotsman (ProRail, TU Delft - Team Maria Santofimia Navarro)

Research Group
Team Maria Santofimia Navarro
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.3221/IGF-ESIS.69.11
More Info
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Publication Year
2024
Language
English
Research Group
Team Maria Santofimia Navarro
Issue number
69
Volume number
18
Pages (from-to)
142-153
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Abstract

This study reports an experimental investigation of the fatigue and fracture resistance of R350HT, a heat-treated pearlitic rail steel with refined microstructure used in rails. Monotonic tensile, rotating bending, linear elastic plane strain fracture toughness, and fatigue crack growth rate tests are presented. The results are used to outline the basic properties and are corroborated by fractographic investigation. This enables the identification of the dominant type of fracture. Regarding fatigue and fracture resistance, the investigated material shows similar properties as other pearlitic rail steels, such as R260. At room temperature, the dominating fracture is of brittle cleavage type, showing some ductile regions associated with pro-eutectoid.