Abstract
Dilatometric tests for the eutectoid steel were performed and the results were used for identification of the phase transformation model for this steel. Physical simulations of controlled heat treatment of rail head were performed. Microstructure and properties after various thermal cycles were determined and these data were used to validate the model of controlled cooling of rails. As a consequence, a reliable model which predicts temperature field during cooling, kinetics of phase transformations, microstructural parameters and mechanical properties of the product was developed. This model can be applied to solve the optimization task formulated with the objective of searching for the cooling process parameters, which give as low as possible interlamellar spacing in pearlite, microstructure free of bainite and heterogeneous hardness distribution in the rail head.