Post-field grinding evaluation of different rail grades in full-scale wheel/rail laboratory tests

Rail grinding is a maintenance task performed in the field to return it profile and/or remove damage, however, can affect surface integrity of rail. In this paper, damage resistance three different ground rails (R260, R350HT and R400HT) was evaluated. samples were using same parameters low-traffic line field. The rail metallurgy then examined, white etching layer (WEL) formation wear rolling contact fatigue (RCF) studied Full-Scale Rig (FSR). Cracking detected and, some cases, WEL found pressed into pearlitic microstructure whereas others bonding between pearlite failed leading delamination.