scope:

This European Standard specifies the characteristics of railway wheels for use on European networks.

NOTE 1 Grade ER6 is not normally fit for the duty of application to freight wagons; it is normally applied in low axleload situations.

Certain characteristics are defined according to a category 1 or a category 2. Category 1 is generally chosen when the train speed is higher than 200 km/h. Freight vehicles running at speeds lower than 200 km/h generally use wheels of Category 2

These categories can sometimes be subdivided, depending upon the characteristics.

This standard is applicable to solid forged and rolled wheels which are made from vacuum degassed steel and have a chilled rim. They are to have already been used in commercial conditions on a European network in a significant quantity, or to have satisfied a technical approval procedure according to EN 13979-1 for their design.

NOTE 2 The definition of other wheels may be found in other documents, such as UIC leaflets or ISO standards.

NOTE 3 The technical approval procedure is not within the scope of this standard.

NOTE 4 Rim-chilled" describes heat treatment of the rim, the aim of which is to harden the rim and to create compressive residual stresses in the rim.