Nanostructure formation on the surface of railway tracks

The microstructure of the surface layer of railway tracks is investigated. It is shown that the surface layer of the rail transforms during exploitation into a nanocrystalline Fe–C alloy. The mechanism of the nanostructure formation is discussed. It is shown that the transformation of pearlite to the nanostructured Fe–C alloy layer is caused by the heavy plastic deformation at the wheel–rail contact zone. The transformation of the microstructure of the surface may take place at rail–wheel contact temperatures less than 230°C and its mechanism is similar to that taking place during mechanical alloying.