Aspects of the Rolling of Long Rails on a Universal Rail-Beam Mill

Abstract

The temperature fields and stress state of the metal during the rolling of long R65 rails on a modern universal rail-beam mill are modeled in the software suite DEFORM-3D. It is established that the temperature distribution in the finishing passes is quite nonuniform along and across the semifinished product. This nonuniformity creates nonuniform stresses in the elements of the rail profile and is the reason for its bending and twisting (curvature). The nonuniformity of the temperature distribution also causes the mechanical properties of the rail to vary over its length. Technical measures to prevent these problems are discussed.