SAFETY INSPECTION VERSUS PREMATURE "POP-IN" OF RAIL OR WHEEL STEELS

An investigation was carried out on the premature "pop-in" events of rail or wheel steels. It was shown that these are caused by the segregation of elements such as Si, Mn, S, etc. in steels used. The probability of the premature "pop-in" event, p, may be: p=10.08-4.8534lg K_(Q1) where K_(Q1) donotes the specified fracture toughness. The proposal seems to be made that (1-p) is available for the reference of their safety inspection.