Is railroad track hardenable?

What is Steel Rail?

Steel rail (also called railroad rails, railway tracks, or crane rails) are the fundamental components of track systems, serving to guide wheels and distribute heavy loads with precision. Designed in an optimized I-beam cross-section that comprises the rail head (contact surface), web (vertical support), and base (stabilizing flange), these rails deliver superior bending resistance and dynamic stability.

 

 

Is railroad track hardenable?

 

Railroad tracks are designed not only to bear extreme loads but also to resist wear and deformation over long periods. The ability to harden a rail depends primarily on the steel grade and heat-treatment process used in its production. Modern rails, especially those used in high-speed lines, heavy-haul freight, and industrial crane systems, are manufactured from high-strength alloy steels such as U71Mn, U75V, R260, or R350HT. These steels can be thermally treated, quenched, or work-hardened to improve surface hardness while maintaining core toughness, ensuring rails can withstand repetitive wheel impact and abrasive wear.

 

 

For industrial applications, rails like the DIN536 A100, QU100, QU120, or ASCE60 may undergo surface hardening treatments to increase durability under concentrated loads from crane wheels or forklifts. Similarly, UIC60, 60E1, and 132RE rails used in European and American heavy-haul lines are sometimes head-hardened to extend service life without compromising flexibility, which prevents cracking during repeated stress cycles. Lighter rails for mining, warehouse trolleys, or temporary tracks, such as Q235B 18kg,22kg,30kg rails or JIS22kg, are generally supplied in as-rolled condition, though selective hardening can be applied for high-friction applications.

 

 

By offering both thermally treated and standard carbon steel rails, GNEE RAIL enables clients to select the appropriate rail type for railway lines, ports, crane runways, warehouses, or mining operations, achieving the right balance between wear resistance, impact toughness, and cost efficiency.

 

Rail Products Range

 

As a professional rail fastener supplier, GNEE RAIL can provide different standard steel rail such as GB,American, BS, UIC, DIN, JIS, Australian and South Africa which used in railway lines, cranes and coal mining.

 

• Steel Rails & Processing: Offering rails with customized services such as cutting, drilling, and special-shaped processing.

 

• Flat Bar Rails: High-quality flat steel rails for beam cranes.

 

• Rail System Solutions: Complete systems including rails, rail clips, steel soleplates, rail joints, and rail pads.

 

 

GB Standard Steel Rail

 

Classification		Height(mm)	Head (mm)	Bottom (mm)	Thick(mm)	Weight (kg/m)
Light Rail	8 KG/M	65	25	54	7	8.42
	9 KG/M	63.5	32.1	63.5	5.9	8.94
	12 KG/M	69.85	38.1	69.85	7.54	12.2
	15 KG/M	79.37	42.86	79.37	8.33	15.2
	18 KG/M	80	40	80	10	18.06
	22 KG/M	93.66	50.8	93.66	10.72	22.3
	24 KG/M	107	51	90	10.9	24.46
	30 KG/M	107.95	60.33	107.95	12.3	30.1
Heavy Rail	38 KG/M	134	68	114	13	38.733
	43 KG/M	140	70	114	14.5	44.653
	45 KG/M	145	67	126	14.5	45.546
	50 KG/M	152	70	132	15.5	51.514
	60 KG/M	176	73	150	16.5	60.64
Crane Rail	QU 70	120	70	120	28	52.8
	QU 80	130	80	130	32	63.69
	QU 100	150	100	150	38	88.96
	QU 120	170	120	170	44	118.1

 

American Standard Steel Rail

 

ASTM standard, AREMA standard
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
	Head	Height	Foot	Thickness
ASCE 25	38.1	69.85	69.85	7.54	12.4	6-12
ASCE 30	42.86	79.38	79.38	8.33	14.88
ASCE 40	47.62	88.9	88.9	9.92	19.84
ASCE 60	60.32	107.95	107.95	12.3	29.76
ASCE 75	62.71	122.24	122.24	13.49	37.2	12-25
ASCE 85	65.09	131.76	131.76	14.29	42.17
ASCE 90	69.09	130.18	142.88	14.29	44.65
ASCE 115	69.06	139.7	168.28	15.88	56.9
ASCE 136	74.61	152.4	185.74	17.46	67.41
ASCE 175	109.86	152.4	152.4	38.1	86.8

 

UIC 860 Standard Steel Rail

 

Standard: UIC860
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
	Head	Height	Bottom	Thickness
UIC50	70	152	125	15	50.46	12-25
UIC54	70	159	140	16	54.43
UIC60	74.3	172	150	16.5	60.21

 

DIN 13674-1-2003 Standard Steel Rail

 

Standard：DIN 536
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
	Head	Height	Bottom	Thickness
A55	55	65	150	31	31.8	10-12
A55	65	75	175	38	43.1
A75	75	85	200	45	56.2
A100	100	95	200	60	74.3
A120	120	105	200	72	100

 

JIS E 1103/1101 Standard Steel Rail

 

Standard: JIS E 1103/1101
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
	Head	Height	Bottom	Thickness
JIS 15KG	42.86	79.37	79.37	8.33	15.2	9-10
JIS 22KG	50.8	93.66	93.66	10.72	22.3	9-10
JIS 30A	60.33	107.95	107.95	12.3	30.1	9-10
JIS 37A	62.71	122.24	122.24	13.49	37.2	10-25
JIS 50N	65	153	127	15	50.4	10-25
CR 73	100	135	140	32	73.3	10-12
CR 100	120	150	155	39	100.2	10-12

 

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