Abstract
In Japan, four types of welding methods, that is, flash welding, gas pressure welding, enclosed arc welding and thermite welding are applied to rail welding. All welds are inspected by nondestructive inspection right after welding in order to assure the reliability of rail welds. However, rail weld failures, which are initiated from weld discontinuities, rarely occur. It is thought that welds performed by fusion welding such as enclosed arc and thermite welding have less reliability than those by flash and gas pressure welding, because some weld discontinuities are easily generated. In this paper, the features of rail weld failures and the inspection methods for rail welds in Japan are introduced. Moreover, the improvements of the ultrasonic inspection method for preventing rail weld failures are discussed. Consequently, the double-probe technique of ultrasonic inspection method is suitable to detect discontinuities in rail welds. The relationship between weld quality and property, such as rupture load and fatigue strength, is clarified by applying this method to rail fusion welds. Rail weld failures have gradually decreased since the adoption of this inspection method to fusion welds.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
