Rail surface defects !

In the operation, various factors such as wheel-rail interaction, rail material, track conditions, and personnel operations can lead to damage on the surface or subsurface of the rail in the form of contact fatigue cracks, deformations, spalling, wear, and abrasions.

Rail surface defects can include various forms of damage or issues that affect the surface or subsurface of the railway tracks. 

Here are some common rail surface defects :

1. Rail corrugation wear: it is a periodic longitudinal deformation of the rail surface, often caused by uneven rail welding joints.
2. Fish scale cracks: These are cracks that can develop due to surface fatigue when high-stress interactions occur between the wheel and rail. Fish scale cracks can lead to spalling or chunking of the rail surface and may even extend into transverse fractures on the railhead cross-section, causing rail breakage.
3. Railhead fat edge: This refers to the presence of fine cracks at the fat edge of the railhead, which can extend into transverse cracks and ultimately lead to rail breakage.
4. Collapse (creep, dark spots):Collapse refers to a form of surface damage that can result in severe spalling and chunking of the rail. It may manifest as creep or dark spots on the rail surface.

5. Abrasion: Abrasion occurs when intense sliding friction takes place at the wheel-rail interface.