Modelling and numerical analysis for rotatory friction welding of U75V steel rails

This article presents a rotatory friction welding (RFW) method for U75V steel rail, aiming to mitigate challenges related to property discrepancies between the as-welded joints and the rail base metal (BM) and to narrow the heat-affected zone (HAZ) in conventional flash-butt welding (FBW) joints. A rotational intermediate plate is designed for rails with non-axisymmetric cross-sections, necessitating stationary during RFW. Advantages include achieving a relatively uniform welding heat input and maintaining the peak temperature of the contact interface near A1. To implement these concepts, a 2D finite element (FE) model for the RFW process of U75V rail steel rods was established and validated through experiments with identical process parameters. Microstructure predictions derived from continuous cooling transformation diagram confirm that ferrite microstructure is formed near A1 through rail steel RFW. Subsequently, a 3D FE model for intermediate plate RFW steel rails is developed to explore appropriate process parameter combinations. A suitable process parameters combination was identified, ensuring the peak temperature of the majority model contact interface does not exceed A1, resulting in a 76.7% reduction in HAZ (from similar to 50 to 11.66 mm), and axial shortening of 8.10 mm, a significant decrease compared to the usual burn-off (30-40 mm) during FBW. These findings underscore the efficacy of this innovative welding solution and emphasize the significance of simulation technology in process optimization.