About Metallurgical and Chemical (M&C) Department:
Functions as premier R&D establishment for conducting research, evaluation, testing and standardization on materials (metals, alloys, paints, fuels, lubricants, rubber, plastics composites, welding consumables etc.) with the objective of employing the most efficient, cost effective and reliable material on Indian Railways. It functions as a consultant to Railway Board, Design Dtes, Zonal Rlys and Production Units in the areas of materials selection, upgradation of material, testing of material, indigenization, welding technology, foundry technology, NDT technology, Paint technology, and investigation into failures of components in service. Besides, it also imparts training to Rly personnel in the field of Non-Destructive Testing, Welding Technology, Corrosion Prevention and failure analysis to equip them with the latest development.
Organization Chart:
Brief Achievements (2022-2023):
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Benchmarking of Rail cum Road Vehicle (RCRV) for Ultrasonic Testing of Rails & Welds at speed of 40 KMPH has been done successfully.
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Developmental of 9 channel per rail Digital Ultrasonic Single and Double Rail Tester with continuous B-Scan recording and GPS location Stamping.
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Process Approval and development of various grades of Rail R260, R350HT, 1080HH (M/s JSPL & SAIL) with Track Design Directorate.
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Inspection of 90098 MT approx. of Bridge Girders along with 7303 nos. of Track items (Rail, ISEJ, Thick web switch, CMS crossing, Weldable CMS crossing etc. )
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Metallurgical investigation of 219 cases involving accidents, derailments, traffic detention.
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Introduction of Eddy Current Array Testing (ECA) for LHB wheels for surface defect detection at Web portion.
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Revision of IRS Specification of fusion AT welding of rails(IRS- T-19-2020).
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Development of technical specification and welding technique for weldable CMS Crossing (Tri-metallic joint).
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Technical Input imparted for development of Specification No. IRS T-51 for Zn-Al metalizing (85%-15%) over Zn (99.99%) of Rail specially for coastal areas.
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Development of RDSO specification No. M&C/PCN/132/2020 for painting of Helical coil springs in Primary and Secondary suspension fitted with FIAT type Bogies of LHB.
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Standardization &Development of manufacturing and testing facilities of locomotive wheels at M/s RINL / FWP, Lalganj, Reabareli.
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Regular Training of 2412 operators of IR / private organizations on Ultrasonic Testing of Rails & Axles.
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Regular Approval of UT machines and sensitivity setting blocks of Outsourcing agencies for ultrasonic testing of Rail.
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Vendor development for Flash Butt welding and A.T. welding of different grades of Rails- (R260, R350HT, 1080HH) for track design Dte.
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Regular AT Welder certification for different firms.
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Development of specification of LHB coaching wheel with Carriage Dte (IRS R-19 Par-II).
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Regular Approval of QAP, WPSS, WPQR and inspection for welding of different kind of steel girders like open web, ROB, BOW string composite and plate girder etc. for B&S Dte.
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Regular testing of Rubber & Composites samples received from Track, Carriage & Wagon Dte.
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Regular Investigation of failed rolling stock components-160 cases approx. /annum across IRS.
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Development of following national standards under Standards Developing Organizations
(i) Specification for Pneumatic Tool Oil (Specification No IS/RDSO- M&C/2201:2023)
(ii) Specification for Machine Tool Way Oils (Specification No
IS/RDSO- M&C/2202 :2023)
(iii) Specification for high performance anti-corrosion epoxy paint (two pack) (Specification No IS/RDSO- M&C/2203:2023)
21.Compendium of failure investigation reports of CBC coupler.
Current Assignments in hand:
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Evaluation of wear properties of 880, R260, 1080HH & 350 HT grade rail with different wheels (Cast, Rolled and Forged) used in Indian Railway.
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Standardization of model WPSS for fabrication of all RDSO standard and non-standard steel girder span.
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Publication of quarterly magazine “The Clue” on Failure Investigation done by MIT section.
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Development of specification for Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) for Rail weld and Rail testing
Testing charges of M&C directorate
Regular & Refresher courses on Ultrasonic Testing of Rails & Rail Welds - Training Schedule for the period January to December 2023
