GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

INDIAN RAILWAY

STANDARD SPECIFICATION

FOR

FLAT BOTTOM RAILWAY RAILS

SERIAL NO. T-12-96

ISSUED BY

RESEARCH DESIGNS AND STANDARDS ORGANISATION

LUCKNOW-11.
 IRST-12-96

INDEX

Cl. Description Page

No. No.
1. Scope 1

2. Rail Section 1

3. Templates and Gauges 2

4. Definition 2

5. Manufacture 3

6. Information to be supplied by the Purchaser 4

7. Grade, Chemical Composition and Mechanical 4

Properties

8. Marking 6

9. Sections & Dimensions 7

10. Freedom from defects 11

11. Finishing 12

12. Testing facilities 13

13. Qualifying criteria 13

14. Nature of tests 14

15. Test sample 15

16. Chemical analysis 15

17. Tensile Test 17

18. Sulphur print test 21

19. Brinell Hardness Test 23

20. Falling weight test 25

 21. Determination of hydrogen content 28

22. Qualifying criteria tests 29

23. Inspection 34

24. Method of payment 36

25. Shipment 36

Appendix

I & II Rail sections

III Colour code

IV Gauge for checking asymmetry

V Sketch showing details of standard test piece for

ultrasonic testing

VI Proforma for ladle analysis of rails steel

VII Album of macrographic prints

VIII Proforma for mechanical properties

IX Proforma for details of rails offered for inspection

 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAY
(RAILWAY BOARD)

SEAL
(GOVERNMENT OF INDIA)

INDIAN RAILWAYS
STANDARD SPECIFICATION
FOR
FLAT BOTTOM RAILWAY RAILS

SERIAL NO. T-12-96

This specification was initially adopted in 1934 and

subsequently revised in 1939, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1964,

1988.

The present version has been adopted in 1996 specifying the

requirements of the three classes of rails having ultimate

tensile strength (UTS) of 880 MPa, 1000 MPa and 1080 MPa.

1. SCOPE

This specification applies to flat bottom symmetrical

railway rails. It specifies quality of the steel, manufacturing

process, chemical composition, acceptance tests/retests,

qualifying criteria and other technical conditions of supply.

2. RAIL SECTION

The sections of the flat bottom rails shall be in accordance

with the section profiles shown in Appendix I and II, unless

otherwise specified by the Purchaser.

 1

3. TEMPLATES AND GAUGES

The manufacturer shall submit, at his own expenses, two sets

of templates (internal and external) made of stainless steel for

each section of rail ordered or contracted for as per approved

drawings. Also, two sets of plus and minus limit gauges made of

stainless steel, in accordance with the stipulated maximum and

minimum tolerances, shall be submitted for approval of the

Purchaser or his Authorised Inspecting Agency. The approval of

purchaser or his authorised inspecting agency shall be obtained

before the rolling of rails is commenced. The templates and

gauges shall be stamped by the Purchaser/Authorised Inspecting

Agency as a token of approval.

One set of templates of plus and minus limit gauges (called

hereinafter master gauges) shall remain in possession of the

Purchaser/Authorised Inspecting Agency during the period of

acceptance. Only gauge bearing the stamp of the

Purchaser/Authorised Inspecting Agency shall be valid for

checking purpose.

Each template/gauge shall be suitably engraved with the

manufacturer’s name and the number of the rail section together

with such other marks as the Inspecting Agency or the purchaser

may direct.

4. DEFINITIONS

4.1 Sequence-continuous casting

 This term is used when a sequence of casts of the same

grade of steel is poured through a continuous casting machine

without interruption in flow of liquid steel into the moulds and

strands .The pouring of the next cast from ladle into the

tundish begins before the steel from the precious cast is

completely poured off from tundish to the mould, leading to an

inter-mixing of some liquid steel from the two successive casts.

4.1.1 Main cast

Blooms that are known to be entirely composed of steel

from the same liquid steel melt.

4.1.2 Changeover, overlap or intermediate bloom

Blooms that may contain steel from more than one cast

i.e. material arising during the changeover from one cast to the

next in the sequence. Number of change over bloom will be

mutually decided by manufacturer/Purchaser depending upon casting

practice adopted by the manufacturer.

4.2 Classification of rails

52Kg/m and 60Kg/m rails shall be classified as class

‘A’ and class ‘B’ based on tolerance in end straightness as

specified in clause 9.4.2.

5. MANUFACTURE

5.1 The steel used for the manufacture of rails shall be

made by basic oxygen or electric arc furnace process and

continuously cast. Any other method of casting shall have prior

approval of the Purchaser. The steel shall be vacuum made by

electric arc furnace process, secondary ladle refining is

mandatory. The manufacturer in his offer shall furnish details

of the steel making process including refining, vacuum degassing,

controlled cooling of blooms/rails etc. which will be followed.

5.2 The cross sectional area of the bloom shall not be less

than ten times that of the rail section to be produced.

5.3 The manufacturer shall appl the best accepted code of

practice throughout manufacturing process to ensure that the

rails meet the stipulations of this specification. The

manufacturer shall, on request, inform the purchaser of the

measures adopted for ensuring the above.

5.4 For head hardening, rails should be suitably heat

treated to meet the requirements of this specification. The

method of heat treatment adopted by the manufacturer should be

made available to the purchaser and prior approval of the

purchase shall be taken before execution of the order.

5 INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED BY THE PURCHASER

The purchaser shall provide the following information

to the supplier when inviting tender for supply of rails

according to this specification:

i) Rail steel grade (Table 1)

ii) Rail Section profile (Appendix I to II)

iii) Class of rail

 iv) Length of rail.

v) Undrilled or drilled rails end.

vi) Colour code requirements (Appendix III)

6 GRADE,CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

The steel for rails shall be of fully killed quality
and shall conform to chemical composition and mechanical
properties given in Table 1. These limits for chemical
composition are applicable both for tests on ladle samples and
for check analysis of finished rails. The ladle and check
analysis of the steel, when carried out by the method
specified in the relevant part of IS:228 or any other established
4
instrumental/chemical method, shall be as specified in
table-1. In case of any dispute, the procedure given in the
relevant part of IS:228 shall be referred to.
8 MARKING

8.1 Brand Marks

Brand marks shall be rolled in relief on one side of the web

of each rail at least every 3.0 meters. The brand marks on the
rails shall be clearly legible and shall be rolled in letters in
relief atleast 20mm in height and minimum 1.0 mm above surface of
the web of the rail.
The brand mark shall include:

a) The rail section.

b) The grade of steel, i.e.

Grade 880 - 880

Grade 1000 - 1000

Grade 1080 - 1080 HH

c) Identification mark of the manufacturer

d) Month (using roman numbers) and last two digits of year

of manufacture.
 e) Process of steel making:-

i) Basic oxygen - O

ii) Electric - E
8.2 Hot Stamping

Each rail shall be identified by a numerical,

alphabetical or combined alphabetical and numerical code
which will be distinctly hot stamped at least once every
4.0m on the web in figures and letters at least 15mm high
from which following information can be obtained: -
i) The number of the cast from which the rails has been

rolled with letter ‘C’

ii) Number of the strand.

iii) For rails from change over bloom, cast number should be

the preceding cast number with prefix letter ‘B’.

8.3 Colour code

Rails shall be painted as per colour code given in

Appendix III to distinguish grade, class, length and other

special requirements. Paint of good quality should be used with

the prior approval of the Inspecting Agency.

9 SECTIONS AND DIMENSIONS

Each section of rails shall be accurately rolled to its

respective template within the tolerances specified in this

clause.

9.1 Permissible Variations in Dimensions

The tolerances in sectional dimensions shown hereunder

shall be allowed, provided the actual weight computed by weighing

short pieces of rails, not less than 300mm each in length, shall
fall within 0.5 percent below and 1.5 percent above the

calculated weight shown in Appendix I and II for each rail

section.

9.1.1. Tolerances in sectional dimensions

Overall height of rails : + 0.8mm

: + -0.4mm

Width of head : + 0.5mm This will be

measured 14mm below

the rails top.

Width of flange : + 0.1mm for section

less than 60Kg/m

+ 1.2mm for sections

- 1.0 mm 60Kg/m and above.

7
Thickness of web : + 1.0mm This will be

- 0.5mm measured at the point of

minimum thickness.

Verticality/Asymmetry : + 1.2mm

(Measured by gauge shown in App. IV)

Flange : The base of the rail shall be

true and flat, but a slight

concavity not exceeding

0.40mm shall be

permissible.

Fishing surface : The standard template for

rail fishing surface shall not

strand away from the

contour of web by more than

1.20mm and the clearance at the

fishing surfaces shall not

exceed 0.2mm at any point.

9.2 Length of rails

The standard length of rails shall be 13 metres.

However, in case rails are to be procured in longer lengths, the

same shall be prescribed by the purchaser.

The manufacturer shall be entitled to supply in pairs

short lengths upto 10% by weight of the quantity contracted for

or ordered. Such short lengths shall not be less than 8.0 m in

lengths. The short lengths shall be in multiples of 1.0m.

Tolerances in length of all rails shall be + 20.0 mm

- 10.0mm

9.3 End Squareness

The deviation from square in both horizontal and vertical

directions shall not exceed 0.60 mm on a length of 200 mm.

9.4 Straightness

9.4.1 The straightness of the whole rail shall be judged

by naked eye but in case of doubt or dispute, the affected
portion shall be checked using 1.5 meters straight edge. The
maximum permissible deviation shall be 0.7mm measured as the
maximum ordinate on a chord of 1.5m. Wavy, kinky and twisted
rails shall not be accepted.
9.4.2 End Straightness

The tolerances for end straightness shall be as indicated in

Table 2 and as illustrated in figure 1 and 2.

Table –2

Straightness Tolerances
Class ‘A’ rails Class ‘B’
rails

1. Horizontal Deviation of 0.5mm Deviation of

0.7mm
measured as maximum measured as maximum
ordinate from the ordinate from the
chord of 2.0 metres chord of 1.5 meters
standard straight standard straight
edge. edge.
2. Vertical
a) Up sweep Deviation of 0.4mm Deviation of 0.5mm
measured as maximum measured as maximum
ordinate from the ordinate from the
chord of 2.0 metres chord of 1.5 meters
standard straight standard straight
edge. edge.

b) Down Sweep NIL NIL

9
10 FREEDOM FROM DEFECTSD

10.1 The rails shall be of uniform section throughout and

shall be free from all detrimental defects such as cracks of all
kinds, flaws, piping or lack or metal etc. having an
unfavourable effect on the behaviour of the rail in service.

10.2 The absence of harmful internal defects shall be

ensured by the continuous on-line ultrasonic examination. This
examination shall be carried out for all rails under the
responsibility of the manufacturer to the satisfaction of the
Inspecting Agency.

10.3 The manufacturer in his offer shall furnish the

detailed method of on-line ultrasonic testing of rails to be
followed by him. The limits of permissible defects for
ultrasonic testing of rails shall be as follows and the standard
test piece shall be as shown in appendix-V.

Head : 1.5 mm dia through hole

Web : 2.0 mm dia through hole

Web & foot junction : 2.0 mm dia through hole

Foot : 0.5mm deep, 12.5mm long and

1.0mm wide notch (inclined at 20o
with vertical axis)

10.4 Surface Quality

10.4.1 Hot marks

Depth of rolling guide marks anywhere on the rail should not

exceed 0.5mm. A maximum of two guide marks are allowed per rail.
The width of each rolling guide mark should not exceed 4.0mm.
 11

Depth and width of guide marks must conform to the following:

Depth Minimum width Maximum width

mm mm mm

0.5 1.5 4.0

0.4 1.2 4.0
0.3 0.9 4.0

10.4.2. Cold Marks

Depth of longitudinal or transverse cold formed
scratches anywhere on the rail should not exceed 0.5mm.

10.4.3 Seams
Rails with seams greater than 0.2mm in depth are not
acceptable and shall be ground. On the running surface of the
rail, dressing shall be limited to 0.3mm deep and in other
places, it shall be limited to 0.5 mm deep.

10.4.4 Protrusions
All protrusions in the head or foot of the rail shall
be ground to match the parent contour. Protrusions on web
greater than 1.5mm high and 20mm square shall be ground. All
protrusions affecting the fitment of the fishplate shall be
ground.

10.5 During examination on the inspection banks, any

shrinkage cavity, inclusion & segregation visible to the naked
eye shall result in rejection of such rail or cutting cut of the
defective portion and re-examination.

10.6 Any operation carried out either in the hot or cold

state with the object of hiding a defect is strictly forbidden.
11 FINISHING
11.1 Cold straightening shall be effected by means of
gradual pressure without impact. The rails may be roller
straightened only once in each direction. The markings must be
protected from the action of the straightening rolls.
12

11.2 The rails must be cut to length when cold. Burrs shall
be removed without any perceptible bevelling of the section.

12 TESTING FACILITIES

The manufacturer shall, at his own expense, supply all

templates and gauges, prepare and supply test pieces and sample
of steel, sample rails and drillings, and supply labour and
apparatus/equipment for testing which may be required by the
Inspecting Agency for carrying out all the tests and render
reasonable assistance in execution of such tests as desired by
the Purchaser/Inspecting Agency.

13 QUALIFYING CRITERIA

The following tests shall be done for each rail section,

grade and class annually or after any change in the process of
manufacture which may affect the results. The tests shall be
undertaken by the supplier to demonstrate compliance with the
qualifying criteria. If so desired, the purchaser/Inspecting
Agency should be provided all facilities to check the sample and
witness the test:

a) Residual stress measurement.

b) Fracture toughness measurement

 c) Fatigue test

d) Inclusion rating level.

The samples for these tests shall be collected from finished

rails. These samples shall not be subjected to any further
mechanical or thermal treatment. The tests shall be carried out
by an accredited/recognised laboratory approved by the purchaser
and the test results shall be reported to the purchaser. The
purchaser shall have access to all test records, calibrations and

13
calculation which contribute to the final results.
14 NATURE OF TESTS

All tests shall be carried out as per latest version of

reference specifications mentioned in this document.
14.1 Acceptance Tests

The following acceptance tests shall be conducted:-

A. Grade 880 Rails

a) Chemical analysis

b) Tensile test

c) Sulphur Print

d) Hardness test for information & record)

e) Falling weight test

f) Hydrogen content.

B. Grade 1000 Rails

a) Chemical analysis

b) Tensile test

c) Sulphur Print

d) Hardness test for information & record)

e) Falling weight test

f) Hydrogen content.
C. Grade 1080 (Head Hardened Rails)

I. Before Heat Treatment

All tests stipulated for grade 1000 rails except tensile.

II. After Heat Treatment

The following tests shall be carried out:

a) Tensile test

b) Hardness test

c) Macroscopic test

14

14.2 The choice of the test sample location within the cast
and strand shall normally lie with the manufacturer. The test
sample position within the bloom/rail shall be selected at the
discretion of the Inspecting Agency.

14.3 The initial test pieces and also the samples intended for
retest must not be taken from the change over or intermediate
blooms. Tests will only be carried out on these blooms when part
or the whole of the adjacent cast has been withdrawn as not
conforming to specification, or for supplying supplementary
information, if required by the purchaser.

14.4 The test methods and the conditions, under which the
tests are carried out, shall conform to the standard in force in
the country of manufacture, in so far as they are not defined in
the present specification.

15 TEST SAMPLE
15.1 The samples drawn for preparation of the test pieces
shall be marked and stamped under the supervision of the
Inspecting Agency.
15.2 If during the preparation of test pieces, any marks
have been removed, they shall be replaced on the actual test
pieces in the presence of the Inspecting Agency.

15.3 The test pieces shall be machined in the cold state

and must not be subjected to any cold or hot working or heat
treatment except for stress relieving treatment at 100o for two
hours for tensile test pieces at the option of the manufacturer.

16 CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

16.1 The manufacturer shall, at his own expense, make a

complete ladle sample analysis of each cast from which the rails
15
are to be rolled and shall submit an authenticated copy of the
results to the Inspecting Agency in the proforma at Appendix- VI.
The percentage of each specified element shall conform to the
limits specified intable-1 of clause 7.

16.2 Extent of test (Product)

For casts =< 150t, one test per cast.

For casts > 150t, two tests per cast, one sample taken
from first half of the cast and the other
from the second half and different strand.

16.3 If chemical analysis of any cast fails to conform to

the provisions of clause 7, the cast shall be subjected to the
retest as per provisions of clause 16.4.

16.4 Retest
Two additional chemical analyses shall be made. If
both analysis pass, the casts shall be considered as complying
with clause 7. If one or both of the analyses fail, the cast
shall be rejected.

16.4.1 If a cast does not satisfy the conditions of the

specification, the intermediate metal belonging to preceding and
succeeding cast shall be rejected or subjected to a retest.

16.5 The chemical analysis for specified elements shall

also be made either from drillings taken from a hole drilled in
the rail, or by spectrography or any other approved method from
the position shown ( in fig.3), rolled from the same cast or from
the tensile test piece or piece selected by the Inspecting Agency
and the percentage of each specified element shall be within the
range specified in table 1 of clause 7.

16
17.1.3 Results to be obtained

The tensile strength obtained shall not be lower than

the minimum value given in table 1, clause 7. Should the test
piece break outside the middle half of the gauge length , it may
be discarded and such breaks should not be considered as a
failure of the test. A fresh test or fresh tests may be made by
then manufacturer with a test piece or test pieces taken from
rail from the same cast from which the discarded test piece was
taken.
17.1.4 Retests

When the first tensile test does not give satisfactory

result, three retests shall be made. The two retests shall be
made on any of the rails from the same strand and the third
retest on any of the rails from another strand of the same cast.
The check tests must not be carried out on rails
produced from intermediate blooms of a sequential continuous
cast.
If all the three retests are satisfactory, all the
rails of the cast shall be accepted.

If any of the two retests from original strand does not

give satisfactory result and the third retest from the other
strand gives satisfactory result, all the rails of the original
strand shall stand rejected and rest of the rails of the cast
shall be accepted.

If third retest does not give satisfactory result,

further retest shall be made strand by strand as above upto 50%
of strands.

For sequential continuously cat material, in the event

of rejection or withdrawal of rails from one or more strands of a
cast, the rails rolled from the change over blooms between the
19
0.2% proof stress shall be measured and record maintained. If
the test piece breaks outside the middle half of the gauge
length, it may be discarded and such breaks shall not be
considered as failure of the test. A fresh test or fresh tests
may be made by the manufacturer with a test piece or test pieces
taken from a rail from the same lot from which discarded test
piece was taken. If the tests fail to meet the above
requirements, the rails may be retreated at the option of the
manufacturer and such rail may be retested as above.

18 Sulphur Print Test

18.1 For 880/1000/1080 Grade Rail

18.1.1 Nature of test

A Baumann-type impression is obtained by the

application of bromide paper, previously impregnated with a
solution of Sulphuric acid, to the clean rail sections drawn from
a location within the cast at the discretion of the Inspecting
Agency.
The sections intended to be used for these tests are
cold sawn and are then sufficiently cleaned on one surface in
order to eliminate completely all machining marks and to obtain a
sharp impression.

The initial samples and also those intended for the

retests must not be taken from rails of changeover blooms. Tests
will only be made on these rails when part or whole of the
adjacent cast has been withdrawn as not conforming to
specification.
18.1.2 Extent of Tests
Sulphur print tests shall be carried out at the rate of
one each per cast for casts < 150 t and two per cast for casts >
150 tonnes.
 21

18.1.3 Results to be Obtained

The prints obtained must not reveal macrographic

defects more marked than those of the limit prints shown in (or
equivalent to those shown in) the album of macrographic prints
given in Appendix-VII.

18.1.4 Retests

If Macrographic examination (Sulphur print) conducted

according to 18.1.3 does not give satisfactory results, three
further samples, two from the same strand and one from the other
strand shall be tested.

If all the retests are satisfactory, all the rails of

the cast shall be accepted.

If any of the two retests from the original strand does

not give satisfactory result but the third retest from the other
strand gives satisfactory result, all the rails of the original
strand shall stand rejected and rest of the rails of the cast
shall be accepted.

If the third retest from the other strand does not

given satisfactory result, further retest shall be conducted
strand by strand.

For rails from sequential continuously cast blooms, in

the event of rejection or withdrawal of rails from one or more
strands of a cast as a result of macrographic test, the rails
rolled from the change over blooms at the end of these strands of
the next cast in sequence shall either be deemed not to comply
with requirements or shall be subjected to retest which shall be
carried out one on the rails from the strand represented by the

22
and for any corrective action as required. The hardness values
should preferably be as under:

Grade 880 rails Minimum 260 BHN

Grade 1000 rails 300 – 350 BHN

Results of the test should be average of five observations

on the same test piece.

19.2 For 1080 Grade (Head Hardened ) Rails

19.2.1 Nature of Test

The hardness test on the rail head surface shall be

carried out for 10% of rails, at one end of the rail (after
removing the decarburised surface) , at regular interval of heat
treatment and the hardness should be in the range of 50-56 shore
hardness value (340-390 BHN). In case of non-conformance of any
rail, 9 consecutive rails on either side of the rails having non
conformed value shall be checked for hardness in the sequence.
Rails not meeting the hardness stipulations maybe retreated only
once at the option of the manufacturer and such rails may be
retested as above.

19.2.2 Results to be Obtained

Hardness of rail head surface after heat treatment
shall be within Brinell hardness No. 340 to 390 (50 to 56 shore
hardness).

19.2.3 Hardness Distribution Test

 The hardness distribution test shall be conducted on
transversely cut rail sections as shown in figure 8 below, by
vickers method. Hardness value at any point shall not exceed 410
HV(390 BHN).

24
metal anvil. The weight of the metal anvil block shall not be
less than 121t and the area of the base not less than 4.2 sq.m.
The metal anvil block shall be supported direct on a concrete or
masonry foundation weighing not less than 25 metric tonnes and
having an area of not less than 9.3 sq.m. No timber or spring
shall be permitted between the rail supports and the anvil or
between the anvil and the foundation. Block guides shall be
provided which shall permit free fall of the weight. The upper
surface of the supports shall be curved to a radius of not more
than 75mm.

One blow shall be delivered midway between the

supports, by means of a freely falling iron weight or ‘TUP’,the
striking face of which shall be rounded to a radius of not more
than 125 mm. The weight of the ‘TUP’, the distance between the
centres of the bearings, the height between the surface of the
rail and bottom of the ‘TUP’, before the latter is released shall
be as specified in table-4.
Table-4

Designation Weight of tup Distance between Height of

of Rail (Kg) centres of bearers(m) drop (m)

52Kg/m 1270 1.20 7.60

60Kg/m 1270 1.07 8.40

20.2 Extent of Tests

One test per cast shall be carried out. The choice of

the test sample location within the cast and strand shall
normally lie with a the manufacturer. The test sample position
within bloom/rail shall be selected at the discretion of the
Inspecting Agency.

26

20.3 Results to be Obtained

20.3.1 The blow shall be sustained without fracture, and the

permanent set resulting from the blow shall be measured after
every test, over the specified distance between the centres of
the bearers and recorded and advised to the purchaser.

20.3.2 The Inspecting Agency shall be entitled to test to

destruction any rail piece subjected to the falling weight test
or carry out any other test/examination/analysis in order to
confirm that the rails are sound.

20.4 Retests
Test sample shall be selected at random from the
finished rails at the discretion of the Inspecting Agency.

If a falling weight test piece gives unsatisfactory

result, three retests shall be made on two rails from the same
strand and one from any other strand. If all the three tests are
satisfactory, all the rails of the cast shall be accepted.

If either of the two tests from original strand gives

unsatisfactory result and the third test from the other strand
gives satisfactory results, all the rails of the original strand
shall be rejected and other rails of the cast shall be accepted.

If the third test from the other strand gives

unsatisfactory result, further retest shall be conducted strand
by strand. For sequential continuous cast, if rails are rejected
or withdrawn from one or more stands of a cast, the rails rolled
from the changeover bloom at the end of the same strands of the
previous and next cast in the sequence shall either be withdrawn
or subjected to two retests, failure of either of retest shall
result in rejection of the rails rolled form the changeover
blooms of the same strand.

27

21 DETERMINATION OF HYDROAGEN CONTENT

One sample shall be taken, at random, from liquid steel
per cast and analysed for hydrogen content. Estimation of
hydrogen will be carried out by a method approved the
purchaser/Inspecting Agency.

21.1 Results to be Obtained

Hydrogen in Liquid Steel (PPM)

Upto 2.5 Heat satisfactory

> 2.5 - 3.0 Heat satisfactory if all rails are
slow cooled.
> 3.0 Heat shall be rejected

21.2 Method of Sampling of Liquid Steel For Hydrogen Estimation

Sample of liquid steel should be taken either direct

from ladle or tundish or mould by plunging the sampler 300 mm
below the molten slag-metal interface or from spoon holding
liquid steel by plunging the sampler. The sample should be held
for 2 to 3 second and then quenched in cold water so that sample
temperature falls to blow 150o C within 5 seconds.

The sample should be removed from cold water and packed

in dry ice if analysis is carried out within 48 hours of
sampling or placed in liquid nitrogen if analysis is to be
carried out beyond 48 hours after sampling.

Sampling should be done by 6mm dia vacuum tube of pyrex

glass with wall thickness of 1.0mm and approximately 0.5 mm thick
in the fille-end. The tube should have desired vacuum of 10-3 mm
of Hg.

28

Any the method of sampling can be permitted with prior

approval of the purchaser.

21.3 Analysis of Hydrogen

The hydrogen sample can be analysed by inert gas fusion
technique in which sample is to be fused at approximately 1900oC
in an induction heating graphite crucible. A nitrogen carrier
gas transports the released hydrogen to a thermal conductivity
cell. The amplified and integrated out-put of the cell is to be
calibrated for hydrogen in ppm.

A LECO – RH – 2 Hydrogen Analyser may be used for

Hydrogen determination.

Any other method can be permitted with the prior

approval of the purchaser.

22 QUALIFYING CRIGTERIA TESTS

22.1 Residual Stress Measurement

22.1.1 Residual stresses are measure d by attaching electrical

strain gauge at various locations on the rail surface. The
surfaces to which the strain gauges are attached are
progressively isolated from the rail and the relaxed strainer
then used to estimate the stresses which have been relieved
whilst the original residual stresses are taken to be these
values but with a change of sign.

22.1.2 Procedure of Measurement of Residual Stresses

A test piece of 1m length shall be cut from the sample
rail. A 150 mm long area in the centre of the test piece shall
be ground by hand using fine stones. During grinding it shall
be ensured that the surface does not get overstressed. Final
finishing shall be done using emery-paper.

29
length of samples shall be cut containing all the strain gauges.
Wires shall be connected to the balancing bridge and reading of
strain gauge taken using same setting of balancing bridge as was
before cutting the samples. The reading of strain at the
corresponding locations shall be converted to stress by
multiplying with Young’s modulus of elasticity for steel (2.05 x
106 Kg/cm2). Residual stress will have same value as relieved
stress with opposite sign.

22.1.3 Results to be Obtained

Residual tensile stress any where in the rail sections

shall not exceed 14% of the UTS of rails steel.

22.2 Fracture Toughness Measurement

22.2.1 Tests shall be performed in accordance with ASTM E339,

using chevron type notch.

22.2.2 The locations of the test piece in transverse section

of the rail shall be as shown in fig. 10 overleaf. The thickness
‘B’ of all the test pieces shall be 25mm. For any rail head
transverse profile, the test piece width shall be maximum
achievable of the following dimensions:

40mm

45mm

50mm

50mm width is, however, recommended.

22.2.3. The crack length to test piece width ration (a/w) shall
be between 0.45 and 0.55.
31
22.2.4 Number of Tests

A minimum of 5 tests shall be performed.

22.2.5 Tests shall be conducted at 20 + 5oC.

22.2.6 Qualifying Criteria

No single KIc value shall be less than 42 MPa√m.

22.2.7 Invalid Values

Where the result of a fracture toughness test is deemed

to be invalid according to ASTM E399, then the value of KQ from
the test may be used provided that the cause of invalidity is due
only to one or more of the following:-

i) Exceedance of the Pmax./PQ criterion,

ii) Exceedance of the 2.5 (KQ/0.2 Rp)2 criterion,
iii) Crack mouth opening displacement force relationship*

The purchasr shal be advised when KQ values had been used

and of the reasons for the test result(s) being invalid according
to ASTM E399**

Note: * Guidance on the question of the acceptability of KQ

values will be found in ORE Report No. D 156 RP3, September,
1987.
** KQ values should not be used when estimating critical
size of defects in rails.

22.3 Fatigue Test

The constant amplitude fatigue test shall be carried
out in accordance with ASTM E606.

22.3.1 Test Pieces

 The test pieces shall be machined from the sample rail
at a location atleast 2m from the rail ends.
33
22.3.2 Number of Tests and Test Conditions

A minimum of three tests shall be performed under the

following conditions:-

Test temperature = 20 + 5oC

Control variable shall be axial strain amplitude.

Note:- Load control during thetest is acceptable provided

the requirements of ASTM E606, clause 10.2.1 are complied with.
The strain cycle shall be symmetrical about the initial zero
load strain level.

22.3.3 Under three-point bending fatigue test, the stress

values shall not be less than 60kg/mm2 for 880 Grade rails.
Alternatively, each sample should endure 10 million cycles at
strain of 0.00135. For rails of grade other than 880, the stress
value will be as provided in the contract.

22.4 Inclusion Rating Level

22.4.1 The inclusion rating level, when examined as per
IS:4163, shall not be worse than 2.5 A,B,C,D (fig.2) both for
thick and thin series.

22.4.2 Ten heats shall be checked to assess and none of these

heats shall exhibit results inferior to what has been mentioned
in 22.4.1.

23. INSPECTION
23.1 The purchaser/Inspecting Agency shall have free access
to the works of the manufacturer at all reasonable times. The
Inspecting Agency shall be at liberty to inspect at every stage
the process of steel manufacture and rail production and cross
check the results of the stipulated tests when so desired by it.

34
23.2 Rails rolled from passed heats only shall be inspected
by the Inspecting Agency. The acceptance procedure should not
interfere with the normal manufacturing process. When a cast is
rolled in several batches, tests carried out on the first part of
the cast may be considered valid for the remaining parts of the
cast in agreement with the Inspecting Agency.

23.3 Before the rails are submitted to be Inspecting Agency,

these shall be properly examined by the manufacturer’s inspectors
and all defective rails shall be conspicuously marked and
segregated. Rails passed in internal inspection should only be
offered for examination by the Inspecting Agency.

23.4 The analysis of all casts rolled together with a

report on the manufacturer’s rejections shall be submitted in
proforma as appendix VIII and IX to the Inspecting Agency.

23.5 After inspection, every accepted rail shall be clearly

stamped with the Inspecting Agency’s stamp at one end in the
presence of the Inspecting Agency and painted as per colour code
specified in clause 8.3. Cast numbers shall be cold stamped on
the faces of the rails at one end.

23.6 Passed rails should be properly stacked on levelled and

well drained stacking area. Rails shall be stacked in head up
position with 100 x 25mm mild steel flats as spacers at a
distance of 3.0 meters between successive layers.
23.7 For lifting rails, single point slinging is not
permitted. For 13m long rails, there should be two lifting point
spaced at 6 to 6.5 m apart and the maximum rail end overhang of
rail beyond the lifting point should not be more than half of the
distance between the lifting point. Lifting of rail using
magnetic chucks shall be preferred.

35

23.8 Sudden impact on rails during loading, unloading,

stacking or transferring from one point to the other shall be
avoided.

24. METHOD OF PAYMENT

24.1 The calculated weights of rails given in appendix I and
II of this specification shall be regarded as actual weights and
payment shall be made on these weights unless otherwise agreed
to.
25. SHIPMENT
25.1 No rail shall be loaded or despatched until
notification has been received from the Inspecting Agency that it
has been inspected and has satisfactorily passed all specified
tests.
25.2 (a) Import Shipment

The rails shall be loaded in bundles of three rails

each bundle containing one rail upside down placed in between two
rails snugly fitting and suitable tied by M.S. straps at four or
more places along the length of rails so that they will not get
loosened during their transportation from manufacturer’s place to
site of work.
 (b) Rail Transport
Transportation within the country
Rails shall be loaded in wagons in layers with
wooden/steel spacer flats between them so that the rails do not
get damaged during transportation. Any missing bolster in
BFRs/BRHs/BRNs shall be replaced by the manufacturer at his
expense. The rails shall be tied as per the extant instructions.

36
37
38
 TABLE-1

Grade Chemical Composition (percentage) Mechanical Properties

C Mn Si S P Al Mo Hydrogen UTS Elongation Running
(max) (max) (max) (max) content (MPa) % on gauge surface
in (Min) length – hardness
liquid 5.65√So (BHN)
steel (min)
(max.)
880 0.60- 0.80- 0.19- * * 0.02 - 3.0 ppm 880 10.0 **
0.80 1.30 0.50 0.035 0.035 Min 260
1000 0.60- 0.80- 0.10- * * 0.02 0.25 3.0 ppm 1000 10.0 **
0.80 1.30 0.50 0.035 0.035 300-350
1080 0.70- 0.75- 0.15- 0.035 0.035 0.02 - 3.0 ppm 1080 10.0 340-390
0.82 1.05 0.30

So = Cross sectional area of tensile test piece in mm2

* 0.040 maximum for finished rail

** Desirable Values

Note: Any other micro alloying element can be added in grade 1000 rails with the approval of
the purchaser.

5
 APPENDIX – VII

Mechanical Properties

Date Heat Specimen before fracture Final % Breaking UTS Hardness Falling weight test
No. gauge elongation load (Kg/mm2) (BHN)
length (Kg)
Dia Area Initial gauge (mm) Result Deflection
(mm2) length Broken/Not (mm)
(mm) (mm) broken

48
 APPENDIX – IX

Details of rails offered for inspection

Date Heat No. of Weight No. of rails rolled No. of rails found No. of rails
No. blooms of of length OK after internal rejected during
produced blooms inspection internal inspection
from the produced

13m

12m

11m

10m

13m

12m

11m

10m

13m

12m

11m

10m
heat from the

9m

8m

9m

8m

9m

8m
heat

49
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 AMENDMENT NO. 5
TO
INDIAN RAILWAY STANDARD SPECIFICATION
FOR
FLAT BOTTOM RAILWAY RAILS

Sr. No. T-12-96

Following Paras shall be amended to incorporate changes in specification of Head

Hardened Rails in IRST-12-96

1. Para 14.1 shall be replaced as follows:

14.1 Acceptance tests:
14.1.1 Following acceptance tests shall be conducted for Grade 880, Grade 1000
and Grade 1080 Cr Rails:
a) Chemical Analysis
b) Tensile Test
c) Sulphur Print
d) Hardness test (for information and record)
e) Falling Weight Test
f) Hydrogen content
14.1.2 For Grade 1080 Head Hardened (1080 HH) Rails all the tests stipulated in
Para 14.1.1 above shall be conducted except tensile test and hardness test,
prior to heat treatment. Following tests shall be carried out after heat
treatment:

a) Tensile Test
b) Hardness Test
c) Macroscopic Test
III. 2. Para 17.2.1 shall be reworded as under:

“17.2.1 Nature of Test

The manufacturer shall determine the tensile properties of the steel in accordance
with the requirements of IS: 1608. Such test shall be made on standard test pieces taken
from position as shown in fig.6 given below.”

Contd…2/-

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 -2-

The diameter of the test piece shall be 6 mm with gauge length 3.54D or 21 mm.

3. Heading of Para 18.1 shall be replaced as under:

“18.1 For Grade 880/1000/1080 Cr/1080 HH Rail”

4. Para 19.2 For Grade 1080 Head Hardened Rails shall be reworded as under:

19.2 For 1080 Grade ( Head Hardened) Rails

19.2.1 Nature of Test:

The hardness test on the rail head surface shall be carried out for 10% of
rails, at one end of the rail (after removing the decarburised surface), at regular
interval of heat treatment and the hardness should be in the range of 340-390
BHN for 1080 HH Grade Rails. In case of non-conformance of any rail, 9
consecutive rails on either side of the rails having non- conformed value shall be
checked for hardness in the sequence. Rails not meeting the hardness stipulations
maybe retreated only once at the option of the manufacturer and such rails may be
retested as above.”

19.2.2 Results to be obtained:

Hardness of rail head surface after heat treatment shall be within Brinell
Hardness No. 340 to 390.

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 Figure -8
Contd…3/-
-3-

Hardness Distribution
19.2.3 Hardness Distribution Test
The hardness distribution test shall be conducted on transversely
cut rail sections as shown in figure 8. Hardness value at any point shall not exceed
390BHN. The cross sectional hardness distribution of heat treated rails shall
slope towards the inside. No sharp drop in hardness should be present. The
hardness at 10 mm below, the rail head table at centre shall be 340 BHN
minimum.
The hardness at 15 mm below, the rail head table at centre shall be
between 315-325 BHN.

19.2.4 Extent of Test:

One hardness distribution test per 1000 m length of heat treated Rail shall
be performed.

19.2.5 Microstructure :

Test piece for microstructure should be taken from the top of rail head.
Test piece should be polished, etched and viewed under microscope X100 and
X500 magnification. The microstructure shall be fine pearlite without formation
of any martensite and Bainite. One test per 1000m of heat treated rail from one
heat to be carried out.

5. Para 22.1.3 shall be reworded as under:

“22.1.3 Results to be Obtained
“Residual tensile stress anywhere in the rail section shall not exceed 14% of UTS
of rail section. For 1080 HH Grade rails residual stress, any where in the section,
shall not exceed 190 MPa”.

6. Para 22.2.2 shall be read as under:

“22.2.2 Qualifying Criteria:

The values of K1c shall comply with table given below:
Steel grade Minimum single value Minimum Mean
K1c( MPa m ½) K1c( MPa m ½)
880 26 29
1080 Cr 24 26
1080 HH 30 32

Note: In some circumstances KQ values can be used for the purpose of

qualification – see B.6 of appendix X.”

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 Contd…4/-

-4-
7. Para 22.3.3 should be reworded as under:
Each sample should endure 10 million cycles at strain of 0.00135. For
rails of Grade 1080 HH the each sample should endure 10 million cycles at strain
of 0.00166.

8. Table 1 for Rail chemistry shall be replaced with the revised Table 1 enclosed.

9. Note (ii) of Para 9.1.2 should be reworded as under:

“A cold punching of “II-Q” at the middle of the web on the center length of rail
on non branding side should be done for clear identification of such rails. Size of
these letters should be 15 mm high. “

-----------

Contd…5/-

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 -5-

TABLE-1

Grade
Chemical Composition (percentage) Mechanical Properties

Elongation % on gauge
length – 5.65√So (min)
10-4% ( ppm) max by

Hydrogen content in
liquid steel (max.)

UTS (MPa) (Min)

Running surface
hardness (BHN)
Mo (max)
Al (max)
S (max)

P (max)

V (max)

N (max)

mass O
Mn

Cr
Si
C

880 0.60-0.80 0.80-1.30 0.10-0.50 0.030* 0.030* 0.015 - - - - - 1.6 ppm 880 10.0
Min 260**

1000 0.60-0.80 0.80-1.30 0.10-0.50 0.030* 0.030* 0.015 0.25 - - - - 1.6 ppm 1000 10.0
300-350

1080 Cr 0.60-0.80 0.80-1.20 0.50-1.10 0.008-0.025 0.020 0.004 - 0.80-1.20 0.18 0.009 20 1.6 ppm 1080 9.0
320-360

1080 HH 0.60-0.80 0.80-1.30 0.10-0.50 0.030* 0.030* 0.015 - - - - - 1.6 ppm 1080 10.0
340-390

So = Cross sectional area of tensile test piece in mm2

* 0.035 maximum for finished rail
The chemical compositions specified as above are applicable to Ladle analysis and Product Analysis. Manufacture shall ensure that chemical composition at ladle
analysis should be such that product analysis also satisfies the requirement of chemical composition as above.
** Desirable Value.

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