What is rail material?

A steel rail is a precisely engineered elongated metal component designed to guide and support the wheels of trains, cranes, or other rail-bound vehicles. It provides a continuous, stable, and wear-resistant surface that transfers dynamic loads from rolling stock to sleepers and the underlying track bed.

 

 

Steel rails are manufactured with specific cross-sectional profiles, high-strength steel alloys, and surface treatments to ensure optimal performance under heavy loads, frequent use, and varying environmental conditions. They form the backbone of railway infrastructure, enabling safe, efficient, and long-lasting transportation systems.

 

What is rail material?

 

Rail material refers to the type of steel or metal used to manufacture railway or crane rails. It is the foundational component that determines a rail's mechanical properties, durability, wear resistance, and suitability for different rail applications, including high-speed trains, heavy freight, mining operations, and crane systems. The choice of rail material affects performance under heavy loads, high-speed impacts, and varying environmental conditions.

 

Most modern rails are made from high-carbon or alloyed steel, often with specific elements like manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), or vanadium (V) added to enhance hardness, tensile strength, and resistance to wear and fatigue. For example, common rail materials include:

 

• U71Mn – Widely used in crane rails and heavy-duty lines for its high wear resistance and toughness.

 

• U75V – High-strength rail for high-speed or heavy-load applications.

 

• 50Mn – Offers a balance of hardness and ductility for industrial or mining rails.

 

• Q235B – A general structural steel used in lighter rails or non-critical applications.

 

 

Grade	Standard / Region	Typical Composition (wt%)
R260	EN 13674-1 (Europe)	C: 0.67–0.80, Mn: 0.90–1.20, Si: ≤0.50
R350HT	EN 13674-1 (Europe)	C: 0.75–0.85, Mn: 0.80–1.20, Cr: 0.20–0.50
Grade 260	AREMA (North America)	C: ~0.77, Mn: ~1.0–1.2, Si: ~0.2
Grade 350	AREMA + Mill Specs (USA/Canada)	C: 0.78–0.83, Mn: 0.90–1.20, Cr: 0.2–0.6, + V/Nb (microalloyed)
BH Rail (Bainitic)	JIS E 1101 (Japan), adopted in EU/India	C: 0.65–0.80, Mn: 1.0–1.4, Cr/Mo/Ni (optional, mill-specific)
U71Mn	GB/T 2585 (China)	C: 0.65–0.77, Mn: 1.10–1.40, Si: 0.15–0.35
U75V	GB/T 2585 (China)	C: 0.67–0.77, Mn: 0.70–1.00, V: 0.04–0.12

 

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

 

The chemical composition and heat treatment process of the steel determine key properties such as:

 

• Hardness – Resistance to surface wear from wheel contact.

 

• Toughness – Ability to absorb impact without cracking.

 

• Fatigue resistance – Durability under repeated loading cycles.

 

• Corrosion resistance – Suitability for harsh environmental conditions.

 

What are the different standards for steel train rails?

 

Steel train rails are produced according to internationally recognized standards to ensure consistency in dimensions, mechanical properties, and performance. These standards vary by region and application, and each specifies the rail profile, weight, height, and mechanical requirements:

 

• GB (China National Standard): Covers a range of rail weights from light rails (8–30 kg/m) to heavy-duty rails (38–60 kg/m), including specialized crane rails such as QU70/80/100/120.

 

 

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

 

• UIC (International Union of Railways): Defines standard rails such as UIC50, UIC54, and UIC60, widely used across European and many Asian rail networks.

 

 

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 536 (Germany): Includes crane rail types A55, A65, A75, A100, and A120, commonly used in industrial and port applications.

 

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

 

• BS 11:1985 (British Standard): Specifies multiple rail profiles suitable for both mainline and industrial usage, with precise dimensional and mechanical requirements.

 

Standard: BS11:1985
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
	Head	Height	Bottom	Thickness
50 O	52.39	100.01	100.01	10.32	24.833	6-18
60 A	57.15	114.3	109.54	11.11	30.618
75 A	61.91	128.59	114.3	12.7	37.455	8-25
75 R	61.91	128.59	122.24	13.1	37.041
80 A	63.5	133.35	117.47	13.1	39.761
80 R	63.5	133.35	127	13.49	39.674
90 A	66.67	142.88	127	13.89	45.099
100 A	69.85	152.4	133.35	15.08	50.182
113 A	69.85	158.75	139.7	20	56.398

 

• AREMA/ASCE (North America): Covers rails from 25 lb/yd up to 175 lb/yd, including specifications for high-speed, heavy freight, and light rail applications.

 

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

 

• JIS (Japan Industrial Standard): Includes models such as 15KG, 22KG, 30A, 37A, 50N, CR73, and CR100, with precise dimensions for domestic and industrial railways.

 

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

 

• AS 1085 (Australia): Defines rails including 31KG, 47KG, 50KG, 60KG, 68KG, 73KG, 86KG, and 89KG, tailored for varying load capacities and environmental conditions.

 

Standard: AS 1085
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
	Head	Height	Bottom	Thickness
31KG	63.5	117.5	108	11.5	31.5	8-25
47KG	70	141.3	127	14.3	46.5
50KG	70	154	127	15	50.8
60KG	70	170	146	16.5	61
68KG	73.4	186	152	17.5	67.6
73KG	70	157	146	32	73.63
86KG	102	102	165	84.11	85.5
89KG	102	114	178	51	89.81

 

These standards not only dictate rail weight, head and foot width, height, and cross-sectional shape, but also mechanical properties such as tensile strength, hardness, and fatigue resistance, ensuring rails can handle expected traffic and environmental conditions.

 

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.

 

Get A Quote& Drawing