Which method is commonly employed to weld rails together?

The method commonly employed to weld rails together is thermite welding or flash butt welding due to its effectiveness in creating strong, durable joints suitable for high-stress applications like railway systems.

Thermite welding involves a chemical reaction that generates extreme heat through the combustion of aluminum powder with iron oxide, thus melting the rail ends together to form a continuous joint. This technique provides excellent mechanical properties and is particularly advantageous in outdoor conditions, where other welding methods may be less efficient or require additional preparation.

Flash butt welding, on the other hand, utilizes electrical resistance to heat the rail ends until they are soft enough to be forged together, producing a solid, homogenous bond. This method is often used in factory settings for its speed and the high-quality welds it produces, making it ideal for the mass joining of rails.

Both thermite and flash butt welding fulfill the specific needs of railway construction and maintenance, ensuring safety and reliability in rail operations, which may not be adequately achieved by other welding methods like MIG, TIG, or general arc welding that are typically used for different applications.