Russian Standard 18-100 Bogie Bolster and Side Frames in 20GFL Low-Temperature Cast Steel
Tieke Railway manufactures bolster and side frames for the Russian standard 18-100 freight bogie in strict accordance with OST 32.183-2001 (ОСТ 32.183-2001) and GOST 977-88 (ГОСТ 977-88). The castings are produced in 20GFL (20ГФЛ) vanadium-alloyed low-temperature cast steel, a material specially developed for railway running gear operating in severe cold regions where ambient temperatures drop to -60°C.
1. Material Selection: 20GFL Instead of 20GL
The officially specified material for 18-100 bolster and side frames is 20GFL (20ГФЛ) vanadium-alloyed low-temperature cast steel. The plain manganese cast steel 20GL (20ГЛ) does not contain vanadium and cannot meet the -60°C impact toughness requirement, so it must never be used for the critical castings of the 18-100 bogie.
| Grade |
Vanadium V |
-60°C Impact |
Application |
| 20GFL (20ГФЛ) |
0.06-0.12% |
Mandatory ≥250 kJ/m² |
18-100 bolster & side frames for cold-climate freight wagons |
| 20GL (20ГЛ) |
No vanadium |
No -60°C requirement |
Ordinary non-low-temperature castings; prohibited for 18-100 |
2. Chemical Composition (mass fraction wt%)
| Element |
C |
Si |
Mn |
V |
Ti |
S |
P |
Cr |
Ni |
Cu |
Fe |
| 20GFL range |
0.16-0.25 |
0.20-0.50 |
0.90-1.40 |
0.06-0.12 |
≤0.05 |
≤0.04 |
≤0.04 |
≤0.30 |
≤0.30 |
≤0.30 |
Balance |
Note: the total of residual elements Cr + Ni + Cu shall not exceed 0.60%.
3. Mechanical Properties
Heat treatment: normalizing plus tempering. Test specimens are taken from cast-on test blocks attached to the castings.
| Property |
Symbol |
Unit |
Requirement at 20°C |
Requirement at -60°C |
| Tensile strength |
σв |
MPa |
≥510 |
- |
| Yield strength |
σ0.2 |
MPa |
≥310 |
- |
| Elongation after fracture |
δ5 |
% |
≥16 |
- |
| Reduction of area |
ψ |
% |
≥22 |
- |
| Impact toughness (U-notch) |
KCU |
kJ/m² |
≥340 |
≥250 |
The -60°C impact toughness of KCU ≥250 kJ/m² is a mandatory acceptance index for Russian cold-climate railways and a compulsory test item for EAC certification. Every heat of steel is verified to guarantee reliable performance of bolster and side frames in low-temperature service.
4. Heat Treatment Specification
- Normalizing: 920-960°C, air cooling
- Tempering: 600-650°C, air cooling
- Delivery in as-cast condition is not permitted; complete heat treatment is mandatory for every casting
5. Non-Destructive Testing (per OST 32.183-2001)
Zone A, covering the center plate, spring seats and column friction surfaces, is inspected by magnetic particle testing (MT) combined with ultrasonic testing (UT). Cracks, hot tears and shrinkage defects exceeding the permissible limits are not allowed. Strict NDT at the foundry ensures that each 18-100 bolster and side frame delivered is free from internal and surface discontinuities that could affect safe operation.
6. Quality Assurance for Russian and CIS Rail Projects
As a direct manufacturer of railway castings and freight wagons, Tieke Railway controls the full production chain from steel melting and chemical analysis by spectrometer to heat treatment, machining and final inspection. The company is able to supply 18-100 bogie bolster and side frames, together with other Russian standard bogie components, with complete material certificates, test reports and EAC certification documents required for export to Russia and CIS countries.
Contact Tieke Railway for more information about 18-100 bogie castings, technical specifications and export quotations.
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