What is the tensile strength of S20 mining track?
Apr 27, 2026
What is the tensile strength of S20 mining track?
The tensile strength of DIN 5901 S20 mining track is determined by its steel grade, with the standard 55Q grade offering a tensile strength of ≥ 710 MPa. For projects requiring even higher durability, 50Mn grade can reach ≥ 785 MPa, while the economy-focused Q235B grade typically provides a lower strength of approximately 375–500 MPa. Because the S20 steel rail weight is 19.80 kg/m, having a high tensile strength is essential to ensure the 100.00 mm height and 7.00 mm web do not suffer from structural failure or permanent deformation when subjected to the high-impact loads and vertical pressure of fully loaded ore cars in underground environments.
How Does Material Composition Affect RAIL S20 MATERIAL STRENGTH?
The RAIL S20 MATERIAL STRENGTH is a direct result of the carbon and manganese content in the steel. In 55Q grade, the carbon content is optimized to provide the hardness needed to protect the 30.00 mm head from abrasive wear, while the manganese increases the overall toughness and tensile capacity. This metallurgical balance allows the S20 rail profile to maintain its shape even under the repetitive stress of locomotive wheels. Higher tensile strength directly translates to a higher resistance against the "mushrooming" effect, ensuring the 100.00 mm profile remains structurally sound throughout its service life.

| 55Q | Mechanical property | Chemical composition(%) | |||||||||
| Yield strength | Tensile strength | Elongation | Hardness | C | Si | Mn | S | P | |||
| MPa | kg/mm² | MPa | kg/mm² | min | HBW | ≤ | ≤ | ||||
| ≥ | ≥ | ≥ | ≥ | ≥ | |||||||
| 685 | 69 | 197 | 0.50-0.60 | 0.15-0.35 | 0.60-0.90 | 0.04 | 0.04 | ||||
| 50Mn | Element | C (Carbon) | Mn (Manganese) | Si (Silicon) | P (Phosphorus) | S (Sulfur) | Cr (Chromium)* | Ni (Nickel)* | Cu (Copper)* |
| Content (%) | 0.47 – 0.55 | 0.70 – 1.00 | 0.17 – 0.37 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.25 | ≤ 0.30 | ≤ 0.30 |
| Q235B | Mechanical property | Chemical composition(%) | |||||||||
| Yield strength | Tensile strength | Elongation | Hardness | C | Si | Mn | S | P | |||
| MPa | kg/mm² | MPa | kg/mm² | min | HB | ≤ | ≤ | ≤ | |||
| ≥ | ≥ | ||||||||||
| 235 | 24 | 375-460 | 38-47 | 26% | 0.12-0.22 | 0.35 | 0.30-0.70 | 0.045 | 0.045 | ||
Does S20 Steel Rail Weight Limit its Load-Bearing Strength?
While the S20 steel rail weight of 19.80 kg/m is light, its high tensile strength allows it to punch above its weight class. The engineering of the 100.00 mm profile utilizes the high-strength steel to maximize the moment of inertia. This means that an S20 rail made of 55Q steel can often handle higher dynamic loads than a heavier rail made of inferior structural steel.
S20 rail dimensions:

| Size | Rail height(mm)
A |
Bottom Width(mm)
B |
Head Width(mm)
C |
Web Thickness(mm)
t |
Weight(kg/m)
* |
| S10 | 70 | 58 | 32 | 6 | 10 |
| S14 | 80 | 70 | 38 | 9 | 14 |
| S18 | 93 | 82 | 43 | 10 | 18.3 |
| S20 | 100 | 82 | 44 | 10 | 19.8 |
| S24 | 115 | 90 | 53 | 10 | 24.4 |
| S30 | 108 | 108 | 60.3 | 12.3 | 30.03 |
Can the S20 rail profile be used on a crane?
Yes, the S20 rail profile can be used on a crane. It is a DIN 5901 standard light rail that is frequently used for light overhead cranes, gantry cranes, and trolley tracks in workshops, warehouses, and logistics centers with moderate loads.
Key Characteristics and Suitability:
- Standard: Complies with DIN 5901, ensuring it is interchangeable and compatible with common fastening systems.
- Weight & Load: At 19.8 kg per meter, it is stronger than smaller rails (like S10/S14) and designed for medium-load transport.
- Steel Grades: Often available in Q235B (high ductility) or 55Q (higher wear resistance), suitable for harsh industrial conditions.
- Profile Design: Its cross-section offers excellent alignment and wear resistance under the frequent rolling action of overhead cranes.
FAQ
Q: Can I use Q235B steel if I only need to support 1-ton ore cars?
A: While Q235B is cheaper, its tensile strength is much lower. For any track intended for long-term use, the RAIL S20 MATERIAL STRENGTH of 55Q is recommended because it resists the surface pitting and "mushrooming" that Q235B cannot, even under light loads.
Q: How do we prevent the 7.00 mm web from cracking if the tensile strength is high?
A: High tensile strength must be balanced with toughness. Ensuring the S20 rail joint bar is properly installed with high-tensile bolts prevents the rail ends from "clapping," which is the most common cause of cracks in high-strength steel webs during mining operations.
Q: Does welding the S20 rail reduce its tensile strength at the joint?
A: Yes, the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of a weld often has lower tensile strength than the rest of the S20 rail profile. This is why using an S20 rail drawing to pre-plan a bolted connection with fishplates is usually safer for maintaining uniform strength across the track.
Q: What is the relationship between tensile strength and Brinell hardness?
A: Generally, as tensile strength increases, so does hardness. For the S20 rail section, a strength of 710 MPa corresponds to a hardness of roughly 200-240 HB, which is the ideal range to prevent the 30.00 mm head from wearing down in abrasive mining environments.
Q: How does the 19.80 kg/m weight affect the rail's bending resistance?
A: Bending resistance (stiffness) is a function of the 100.00 mm height and the steel's modulus, but the tensile strength determines the limit before the 82.00 mm base suffers from permanent plastic deformation under a heavy load.
Get a Quote in 24 Hours
GNEE RAIL provides DIN 5901 S20 rails, full-size crane rails (QU, A series), and international standards like ASCE and JIS directly from our manufacturing facility. We supply all matched S20 rail joint bars, high-tensile bolts, and rail clips to ensure your track system is fully compatible. Our CNC workshop handles precision cutting and custom drilling to your exact S20 rail drawing specifications. Send your technical requirements to GNEE RAIL now to receive a detailed quote and CAD support for your upcoming project.







