What are the advantages of using steel?
Jan 14, 2026
A steel rail is a high-strength component of railway track systems designed to guide wheels, support heavy loads, and provide a smooth, continuous surface for locomotives, freight, and industrial vehicles. Modern rails are made from alloyed steels to resist wear, fatigue, and deformation under repeated stress.
What are the advantages of using steel?
Steel has mechanical and chemical properties that make it superior to iron or wooden rails. Its high tensile strength, fatigue resistance, and wear durability allow rails to withstand millions of wheel passes per year. Steel rails also maintain precise track geometry, resist impact loads, and provide a smooth rolling surface.
| Material | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness (HB) | Typical Rail Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 250–400 | 10–15 | 120–160 | Early industrial rail |
| Q235 Steel | 375–460 | ≥26 | 130–150 | Light rail (GB11264-89) |
| 50Mn Steel | ≥645 | ≥13 | 197 | Heavy rail (GB2585-2007) |
| U71Mn Steel | ≥880 | ≥9 | 240–270 | Heavy rail, crane rail |
| R350HT | ≥1175 | ≥9 | 350–390 | High-speed rail (EN13674-1) |
The Advantages of Using Steel in Rails
| Advantage | Impact on Track | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| High Strength | Prevents bending and deformation | QU100 crane rail, UIC60 mainline rail |
| Wear Resistance | Reduces head profile wear | ASCE75, BS80A rails |
| Fatigue Resistance | Prevents rail fractures under heavy axle loads | R350HT high-speed rail |
| Consistent Performance | Maintains gauge and alignment | P50/P60 heavy rail |
| Long Life | Fewer replacements, lower maintenance costs | QU70–QU120 crane rails |
How Does Steel Compare to Iron or Other Materials?
Steel's mechanical properties outperform iron in nearly all aspects relevant to railway operations:
| Property | Iron | Steel (U71Mn) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 250–400 | ≥880 | Steel can support higher axle loads |
| Elongation (%) | 10–15 | ≥9 | Steel is tougher under dynamic loads |
| Hardness (HB) | 120–160 | 240–270 | Better wear resistance |
| Typical Service Life | 10–15 years | 25–40 years | Steel reduces replacement frequency |
| Fatigue Resistance | Low | High | Reduces risk of rail cracks and failure |
Steel Rail Types
- The type of rail is classified by kilograms per meter of rail length. For example, steel rails used in China's railways are 75kg/m, 60kg/m, 50kg/m, 43kg/m and 38kg/m.
| 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 | |
- Classified by Application: GNEE RAIL supplies crane rail( QU120,QU100,QU80,QU70), heavy rail( 38, 43, 50, 60, 75kg) and light rail( 9,12,15,22,30kg/m).
| Classification | Height(mm) | Head (mm) | Bottom (mm) | Thick(mm) | Weight (kg/m) | |
| 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 | |
| Classification | Height(mm) | Head (mm) | Bottom (mm) | Thick(mm) | Weight (kg/m) | |
| 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 | |
- Stee rail in foreign standards: British Standard: BS series (90A, 80A, 75A, 75R, 60A, etc.) German standard: DIN series crane rails. International Railway Union: UIC series. American Standard: ASCE series. Japanese standard: JIS series.
| Standard | Sepc. | Material Typical Grade |
|---|---|---|
| UIC860 | UIC54 | 700,900A,900B |
| UIC60 | ||
| EN13674.1 | 50E1 | R200,R350HT,R260Mn,R35LHT,R320Cr,R370CrHT |
| 54E1 | ||
| 60E1 | ||
| 60E2 | ||
| BS-11-1985 | BS80A | 700,900A,900B |
| BS90A | ||
| BS100A | ||
| AREMA | 115RE | SS,HH,LA,IH |
| 136RE | ||
| ASCE60 | U71Mn | |
| ASCE85 | U71Mn |
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.
