Process and apparatus for hardening rails

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for hardening rails or at least rail heads by intensified cooling to convert the structure from an austenitic structure to a room temperature stable microstructure wherein the process comprises: leveling the rails in the austenitic state; and horizontally positioning and clamping to prevent bending. While maintaining the clamping position, the rails and/or a part of the rail cross-section are partially cooled from a temperature, which lies above the Ac3 point of the alloy converting the structure from an austenitic structure to a room temperature stable microstructure.; There is also disclosed a device for making the above-described hardening process, said device comprising a rail supporting device formed as a support with a longitudinal extension corresponding to the rail with positioning elements and detachable clamps for holding the rail.