A Rail profile is a
hot rolled steel profile of a specific
shape or
cross section (an asymmetrical
I-beam).Unlike some other uses of
iron and
steel, railway rails are subject to very high stresses and have to be made of very high quality steel. It took many decades to improve the quality of the materials, including the change from iron to steel. Minor flaws in the steel that pose no problems in reinforcing rods for buildings, can, however, lead to broken rails and dangerous
derailments when used on railway tracks.
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