The Steel Authority of India’s (SAIL) Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) has flagged off the first rake containing vanadium alloyed special grade rails, R 260 grade, for the Indian Railways.
The R 260 grade rails are targeted to meet requirements of the Indian Railways for higher speed and higher axle load.
The Vanadium micro-alloyed steel would provide higher yield strength to rails. The new grade will not only ensure cleaner steel but also provide better mechanical properties.
SAIL-BSP has been producing the exact specification-based rails for the Indian Railways throughout its decades’ old association. BSP has started producing the R 260 rails from its new and modern Universal Rail Mill.
The strength of more than 550 mega pascal will allow the Indian Railways to withstand more rigorous rail traffic and also achieve better lifespan. The rails will be supplied in the form of 260 mtr long welded panels.
The new grade of rails rolled by SAIL-BSP is based on R 260 grade specifications issued by the Indian Railways Research & Development wing (RDSO).
The R 260 grade specification issued by RDSO is more stringent than the European specifications on various parameters, including the hydrogen content of 1.6 ppm (maximum) in steel as compared to 2.5 ppm (maximum) specified in the European specification.