1. Cost of ordinary carbon steel track

-Material cost

-The material cost of ordinary carbon steel tracks is relatively low. Its main component is iron, containing small amounts of carbon, silicon, manganese and other elements, which are commonly found in nature and have relatively low extraction and processing costs. For example, Q235 steel, a common ordinary carbon steel, has a relatively mature production process and a wide range of raw material sources, so its material cost is relatively low among various types of track steels.

-Processing cost

-The processing difficulty of ordinary carbon steel is relatively low. Its mechanical properties are relatively simple, and there is no need for overly complex process control during rolling and other processing. For example, when rolling steel billets into track shapes, the rolling parameters of ordinary carbon steel are relatively easy to set, and no special processing equipment or technology is required to ensure its performance, so the processing cost is also lower.

-Maintenance cost

-However, the wear resistance of ordinary carbon steel tracks is poor, which leads to higher maintenance costs. During use, due to the wear and tear of train wheels, the track needs to be repaired and replaced more frequently. For example, on some high-capacity railway trunk lines, if ordinary carbon steel tracks are used, it may be necessary to repair or replace severely worn sections every few years, which involves multiple cost inputs such as manpower and material resources.

2. Cost of high manganese steel track

-Material cost

-The material cost of high manganese steel track is higher than that of ordinary carbon steel track. The manganese content in high manganese steel is relatively high, usually around 10% -14%. The process of obtaining and adding manganese elements to steel will increase costs. Moreover, the production process of high manganese steel is relatively complex, requiring precise control of parameters such as the proportion of each element and processing temperature, which also increases its material cost.

-Processing cost

-The processing cost of high manganese steel is also relatively high. Due to the characteristics of high manganese steel, special processes are required during the processing to ensure its performance. For example, when casting or rolling high manganese steel tracks, it is necessary to strictly control parameters such as cooling rate to ensure uniform internal structure and obtain good toughness and wear resistance. This requires more advanced processing equipment and skilled operators, thereby increasing processing costs.

-Maintenance cost

-However, the wear resistance of high manganese steel tracks is very good. On heavy-duty railways and busy mainline railways, although the initial investment cost is high, the long service life greatly reduces the frequency of maintenance and replacement, resulting in relatively low maintenance costs in the long run.

3. Cost of alloy steel track

-Material cost

-The material cost of alloy steel tracks is the highest. Because alloy steel contains various alloying elements such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, etc. These alloying elements themselves are expensive, and in the steel production process, precise control of their content and distribution is required, making the production process complex. For example, while chromium improves the oxidation and corrosion resistance of steel, its acquisition and processing costs are relatively high, as are nickel and molybdenum elements.

-Processing cost

-The processing difficulty of alloy steel is relatively high. Due to its complex composition, stricter process control is required during the manufacturing process. For example, in the heat treatment process, different alloy elements have different requirements for temperature, time, and other parameters, which require precise adjustment of these parameters to ensure the performance of alloy steel tracks. This requires high-end processing equipment and professional technicians, greatly increasing processing costs.

-Maintenance cost

-Alloy steel tracks have unique advantages in special environments such as coastal or high-altitude areas. Although their initial material and processing costs are high, their strong corrosion resistance and adaptability to special environments reduce the frequency of maintenance and replacement in special environments. In long-term operation, they can reduce the overall maintenance cost of railways in special environments.