STEEL FOR PRODUCING RAILWAY WHEELS

Abstract

The invention relates to metal industry and more particularly to alloy for producing steel wheels, as well as to steel wheels made from such alloy for railway transport. The steel comprises the following components, in % wt.: from 0.45% wt. to 0.60% wt. of carbon, from 0.38% wt. to 0.50% wt. of silicon, from 0.80% wt. to 1.00% wt. of manganese, up to 0.15% % wt. of vanadium, from 0.80% wt. to 1.00% wt. of chromium, up to 0.02% wt. of phosphorus, up to 0.015% wt. of sulfur, up to 0.3% wt. of copper, up to 0.25% wt. of nickel, up to 0.04% wt. of aluminum, a balance of iron. The claimed steel alloy for use in producing railway wheels, either by metal working process or by casting methods, has improved mechanical and operational properties.

Claims

1. A steel for producing railway wheels, wherein the steel comprises the following components, % wt.: from 0.45% wt. to 0.60% wt. of carbon, from 0.38% wt. to 0.50% wt. of silicon, from 0.80% wt. to 1.00% wt. of manganese, up to 0.15% wt. of vanadium, from 0.80% wt. to 1.00% wt. of chromium, up to 0.02% wt. of phosphorus, up to 0.015% wt. of sulfur, up to 0.30% wt. of copper, up to 0.25% wt. of nickel, up to 0.04% wt. of aluminum, and a balance of iron.

2. The steel according to claim 1, wherein the steel comprises 0.15% wt. of vanadium.

3. The steel according to claim 1, wherein the steel comprises 0.02% wt. of phosphorus.

4. The steel according to claim 1, wherein the steel comprises 0.015% wt. of sulfur.

5. The steel according to claim 1, wherein the steel comprises 0.30% wt. of copper.

6. The steel according to claim 1, wherein the steel comprises 0.25% wt. of nickel.

7. The steel according to claim 1, wherein the steel comprises 0.04% wt. of aluminum.

8. A steel railway wheel comprising a plate and a rim, the rim having a tread surface, wherein the steel railway wheel comprises the following components, % wt.: from 0.45% wt. to 0.60% wt. of carbon, from 0.38% wt. to 0.50% wt. of silicon, from 0.80% wt. to 1.00% wt. of manganese, up to 0.15% wt. of vanadium, from 0.80% wt. to 1.00% wt. of chromium, up to 0.02% wt. of phosphorus, up to 0.015% wt. of sulfur, up to 0.30% wt. of copper, up to 0.25% wt. of nickel, up to 0.04% wt. of aluminum, and a balance of iron.

9. The steel railway wheel of claim 8, wherein hardness of the rim at a depth of 30 mm from the tread surface is at least 330 BH.

10. The steel railway wheel of claim 8, wherein resistance of the rim is not less than 1050 MPa.

11. The steel railway wheel of claim 8, wherein impact strength of the rim at +20 C. is not less than 25 J/cm2.

12. The steel railway wheel of claim 8, wherein hardness of the plate is at least 230 BH.

13. The steel railway wheel of claim 8, wherein resistance of the plate is not less than 900 MPa.

14. The steel railway wheel of claim 8, wherein impact strength of the plate at +20 C. is not less than 32 J/cm2.

15. The steel railway wheel of claim 8, wherein impact strength of the plate at 60 C. is not less than 16 J/cm2.

Description

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0029] The invention is implemented as follows and is illustrated in an example of producing cast railway wheels.

[0030] Using thermodynamic analysis approach and computer-based simulation methods, the appropriate chemical composition of steel was found, which composition providing the desired combination of properties. Theoretical calculations are supported by results of tests on mechanical properties and material microstructure parameters of wheels being produced in in series of test heats.

[0031] Cast wheels produced from the steel according to the claimed chemical composition in batch of test heats after heat treatment (quenching of rim and subsequent temper), exhibit high strength and operational properties with the desired plastic properties degree and impact strength, including: [0032] rim hardness at a depth of 30 mm from tread surface is not less than 330 HB; [0033] ultimate resistance of rim is not less than 1050 MPa; [0034] impact strength in rim at +20 C. is not less than 25 J/cm2; [0035] impact strength in wheel plate at +20 C. is not less than 32 J/cm2; [0036] impact strength in wheel plate at 60 C. is not less than 16 J/cm2; [0037] hardness of wheel plate is not less than 230 HB; and [0038] ultimate resistance of wheel plate is not less than 900 MPa.