What metal is used to make train rails?
Jan 22, 2026
Rail track is an essential component of rail track, and its function is to guide the train wheels moving forward by withstanding the enormous pressure pushed by the wheels. Steel rail shall provide smooth, stable and continuous rolling surface for the passing train wheels. In electrical railway or automatic block section, railway track can also be used as track circuit.
What metal is used to make train rails?
Train rails are primarily made from specialized steels, selected to endure repeated wheel impact, high compressive stress, and surface wear over long-term service. Unlike general structural metals, rail steels are alloyed and thermomechanically processed to optimize toughness, hardness, and fatigue life. Typical metals include:
- High-Manganese Steels (e.g., U71Mn): These steels provide excellent resistance to wear and rolling contact fatigue, making them suitable for heavy freight lines and industrial crane rails. The manganese content enhances toughness while improving hardenability under thermal treatment.
| Steel Grade | C(%) | Si | Mn | Cr | V | P | S | Tensile Strength (Rm/MPa) |
| U71Mn | 0.65~0.76 | 0.15~0.58 | 0.70~1.40 | – | – | ≤0.035 | ≤0.030 | ≥880 |
- High-Strength Alloy Steels (e.g., U75V, R350HT): Incorporating elements like vanadium and chromium, these steels offer superior tensile strength and long-term fatigue resistance, which is critical for high-speed mainlines and heavily loaded tracks.
| Steel Grade | C(%) | Si | Mn | Cr | V | P | S | Tensile Strength (Rm/MPa) |
| U75V | 0.71~0.80 | 0.50~0.80 | 0.75~1.05 | – | 0.04~0.12 | ≤0.035 | ≤0.030 | ≥980 |
| Grade | Standard / Region | Typical Composition (wt%) |
| R350HT | EN 13674-1 (Europe) | C: 0.75–0.85, Mn: 0.80–1.20, Cr: 0.20–0.50 |
- Medium-Carbon Steels (e.g., 50Mn): Offering a balance between hardness and ductility, 50Mn steel is widely used in industrial tracks and mining lines where impact resistance and moderate wear resistance are required.
| 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 |
- Structural Carbon Steel (e.g., Q235B): Used for lighter-duty or temporary tracks, this steel provides adequate strength for low-traffic applications at a lower cost, though it has reduced wear and fatigue resistance compared with alloyed steels.
| 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 | ||
- Heat-Treated European and Asian Rails (e.g., R260): These rails undergo controlled rolling and heat treatment to improve surface hardness and internal toughness, suitable for mainlines with high-speed and heavy-load traffic.
| Grade | Standard / Region | Typical Composition (wt%) | Key Features & Applications |
| R260 | EN 13674-1 (Europe) | C: 0.67–0.80, Mn: 0.90–1.20, Si: ≤0.50 | Base-grade rail; cold-rolled; widely used on medium-traffic lines. Good weldability and cost efficiency. |
What is the function of steel track rail?
The primary functions of steel track rails extend beyond simply providing a surface for wheels to roll on. Their roles can be categorized as follows:
- Load Transmission: Rails transfer vertical and lateral loads from rolling stock or industrial vehicles to sleepers and the track foundation. This prevents localized deformation and ensures the stability of the track system under heavy loads or dynamic forces.
- Wheel Guidance: Rails provide precise lateral and longitudinal guidance for wheels, maintaining vehicle alignment on curves, gradients, and straight sections. The rail profile ensures that the flanges of wheels remain properly seated, reducing derailment risk.
- Impact and Wear Resistance: Rails absorb repeated wheel impacts and resist surface wear and rolling contact fatigue. The material selection, alloying elements, and heat treatment help maintain rail geometry and surface integrity under millions of load cycles.
- Energy Distribution: Rails help dissipate the energy generated by moving vehicles, including vibrations and shocks, evenly through the sleepers and ballast, reducing stress concentrations that could damage track components.
- Support for Track Components: Rails anchor fastening systems, pads, and clips, providing a stable base for other track elements while maintaining correct gauge and alignment. This is crucial for both mainline and industrial tracks where precision affects safety and operational efficiency.
- Durability in Environmental Conditions: Rails must maintain structural and mechanical performance under varying temperatures, moisture levels, and corrosive conditions. Proper steel selection and manufacturing processes ensure longevity and minimal maintenance.
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.
| Standard | Sepc. | Material Typical Grade |
| UIC860 | UIC54 | 700,900A,900B |
| UIC60 | ||
| EN13674.1 | 5.00E+02 | R200,R350HT,R260Mn,R35LHT,R320Cr,R370CrHT |
| 5.40E+02 | ||
| 6.00E+02 | ||
| 6.00E+03 | ||
| BS-11-1985 | BS80A | 700,900A,900B |
| BS90A | ||
| BS100A | ||
| AREMA | 115RE | SS,HH,LA,IH |
| 136RE | ||
| ASCE60 | U71Mn | |
| ASCE85 | U71Mn | |
| GB 2585-2007 | 50kg/m | U71Mn |
| 60kg/m | U75V | |
| 75kg/m | ||
| TB/T2344-2012 | 50kg/m | U71Mn,U75V,U77MnCr |
| 60kg/m | U78CrV | |
| 75kg/m | ||
| GB 11264-1989 | 8kg/m | Q235 |
| 12kg/m | Q235 | |
| 15kg/m | 55Q, Q235 | |
| 18kg/m | 55Q, Q235 | |
| 22kg/m | 55Q, Q235 | |
| 24kg/m | 55Q, Q235 | |
| 30kg/m | 55Q, Q235 | |
| 38kg/m | 50Mn, U71Mn | |
| 43kg/m | 50Mn, U71Mn | |
| GB Crane rails | QU70 | U71Mn |
| QU80 | U71Mn | |
| QU100 | U71Mn | |
| QU120 | U71Mn |
