The microstructure evolution and properties variation of the surface layer of rail steel after passed 500 and 1000 million tons of gross weight (MTGW) have been investigated. The wear rate increases to 3 and 3.4 times after passed 500 and 1000 MTGW, respectively. The corresponding friction coefficient decreases by 1.4 and 1.1 times. The cementite plates were destroyed and formed the cementite particles of around 10–50nm in size after passed 500 MTGW. The early stage dynamical recrystallisation was observed after passed 1000 MTGW. The mechanisms for these have been suggested. The large number of bend extinction contours is revealed in the surface layer. The internal stress field is evaluated.
This paper is part of a themed issue on Materials in External Fields.
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