Bhilai’s Universal Rail Mill creates New Records

Central Chronicle News
Bhilai, Aug 25: SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant’s Universal Rail Mill recorded its highest daily prime rail production of 2518 Tonnes in R260 grade & 60E1 profile on August 24, 2021, surpassing the previous best record of 2510 T on August 09, 21. Best ever day records were also set for non-destructive testing (NDT) testing, visual inspection, finished rail tonnage by URM on August 24, 2021.
It is worth mentioning that SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant that has been producing world class quality rails for Indian Railways for over six decades as per desired specifications of grade, quality, profile and length, is now rolling out a new grade of rails (R 260) with 60E1 profile as per requirement of Indian Railways.
This new R260 grade of rails with 60E1 profile is more suitable for higher speed and higher axle load. SAIL-Bhilai has been making required changes in its processes to meet stringent technical specifications of the Indian Railways and cater to their changing needs.
While the new micro-alloyed special grade steel is produced in Plant’s modern Steel Melting Shop 3, the new R260 grade of rails is being rolled out from the Plant’s modern Universal Rail Mill that rolls out the world’s longest 130 metre rails in single piece as well as from the Plant’s older Rail & Structural Mill.
The higher strength of this new grade of rails will enable Indian Railways to withstand more rigorous Rail traffic and also achieve better life. The Rails are being supplied from Bhilai in the form of 260 meter long welded panels.
Indian Railways has been moving towards higher speed and axle load rails for which it required SAIL to produce this new micro-alloyed steel to provide higher yield strength to rails. The new R260 grade will not only ensure cleaner steel but will also provide better mechanical properties.