Tata Steel officially launches high performance grooved rail at InnoTrans

Tata Steel launched its new high performance grooved rail at InnoTrans in Berlin. This rail is designed to reduce life cycle costs through its high wear resistance and its ability to be weld-repaired using Tata Steel’s patented weld process.

Tramway networks around the world are under increasing pressure to reduce life cycle costs of their infrastructure. Their networks, running through city centre streets, typically have many tight curves, which result in significant costs as the rails in these curves quickly become worn and need replacing.

In response to this challenge, Tata Steel has developed high performance grooved rail. This metallurgically engineered rail fully addresses the customer’s requirement for a longer life product, that is resistant to the high rates of both vertical and side wear experienced in tight curves. With a hardness of 330-360HB, this high performance rail extends the first use phase by a factor of three. It features a steel microstructure especially formulated to give high wear resistance and additionally, allows for side wear to be restored repeatedly using our patented low pre-heat welding process. These advantages are highly beneficial for tramway networks looking to extend rail life and so reduce life cycle costs.

The low pre-heat weld repair process that the company has developed is ideal for restoring the profile of worn grooved rail, thereby further extending rail life and reducing life cycle costs. The welding process requires a low pre-heat of 60°C–80°C in order to avoid damage to the polymers surrounding the embedded rail. Additionally, the low pre-heat ensures the development of a tough steel microstructure that is resistant to cracking and thus produces robust, crack-free weld deposits.

Profile restoration of high performance grooved rail using this process has been evaluated by the University of Cambridge. The results of their extensive testing validate the principles of the welding process and the integrity of the welds done on high performance grooved rail.

Tata Steel´s patented weld restoration process is now being successfully employed to restore grooved rail in tramway networks throughout Europe. The company also offers advice and consultancy to tramway networks over a wide range of rail welding and metallurgical issues.

Tata Steel’s grooved rail is installed on the majority of urban networks across Europe and many prestigious transport systems worldwide. Recent projects served by Tata Steel have included networks in France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Dubai, and Morocco.

Tata Steel offers clients a wide range of grooved rail profiles and steel grades produced to industry standards, as well as rail with consistent metallurgical and mechanical properties. Rail profiles are always produced to tight dimensional tolerances, and rail quality is ensured through rigorous non-destructive testing. The company shares its know-how with customers to help maximise rail life, reduce life cycle costs, and minimise the carbon impact of tramway networks.

For further information, contact Karen Spencer on +44 (0)1724 405761 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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