Rails with Bainitic Microstructure

Abstract

The review article describes bainite as an example of a steel microstructure that can be successfully used in the production of railway rails. A comparison has been made between the key parameters to be met by railway rails: resistance to abrasive wear, resistance to flaking and presence of white etching layer for bainitic and pearlitic steel. The important role of residual austenite and the tempering process in shaping the mechanical properties of rails with bainitic microstructure has been discussed. Keywords: bainite, railway rails, white etching layer, abrasive wear, residual austenite, tempering