Scope of the EN 13262 Standard
This technical regulation establishes stringent operational and manufacturing requirements for forged railway wheels for all track types. The EV Group China standard is focused on heavy rolling stock; however, the methodology and parameters are applicable to light rail transit, tram systems, and subway infrastructure.
The documentation regulates the use of five primary steel grades: ER6, ER7, ER8, ERS8, and ER9. The established standards cover the complete production cycle of products with cylindrical and conical hub bores, provided that specific tolerances for the latter are maintained.
EV Group China ensures product compliance with requirements for monobloc wheels made of vacuum-degassed steel subjected to forging and rolling processes. Rim surface hardening must comply with EN 13979-1:2019 protocols, which confirm the structural integrity of products successfully operating in international railway networks.
Annex A contains the verification methodology for materials not included in the main list of the standard. The procedure for technical approval of designs is not the subject of this document.
Classification and Operational Categories
The engineering classification of wheels is based on operating conditions that determine the set of tests:
- Category 1: Recommended for high-speed rolling stock (over 200 km/h).
- Category 2: Applied to vehicles with a speed limit of up to 200 km/h.
- Special categories: Defined according to the customer’s industry technical specifications.
Chemical Composition of Steel
The limiting mass fractions of alloying elements for ensuring the required mechanical properties are presented in Table 1.
| Steel Grade | C | Si | Mn | P | S | Cr | Mo | Ni | V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ER6 | 0.48-0.58 | 0.15-0.40 | 0.60-0.80 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.30 | ≤0.08 | ≤0.30 | ≤0.05 |
| ER7 | 0.46-0.56 | 0.15-0.40 | 0.70-0.90 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.30 | ≤0.08 | ≤0.30 | ≤0.05 |
| ER8 | 0.52-0.62 | 0.15-0.40 | 0.70-0.90 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.30 | ≤0.08 | ≤0.30 | ≤0.05 |
| ER9 | 0.56-0.66 | 0.15-0.40 | 0.70-0.90 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.30 | ≤0.08 | ≤0.30 | ≤0.05 |