A rail spike is a load-bearing steel fastener used to anchor the rail foot to sleepers, forming a rigid connection that maintains track gauge, prevents rail rollover, and ensures stable load transfer from rail to sleeper and ballast. Without properly designed spikes, rail alignment and operational safety cannot be maintained.
GNEE RAIL supplies rail spikes suitable for GB light rails 8–30 kg/m, heavy rails 38–60 kg/m, UIC50/54/60, DIN 536 A55–A120 crane rails, QU70/80/100/120, JIS 15KG–CR100, AS1085 31–89 kg, BS11:1985, and AREMA/ASCE 25–175 lb rails, and provides machining, coating, and fastening system matching services.
Are railroad spikes cast?
No, traditional railroad spikes are not cast; they are forged from hot-rolled carbon steel or historically, wrought iron. The forging process ensures they are ductile and strong enough to withstand being driven into wooden ties without shattering. Cast iron would be too brittle for this purpose.
- Material: Primarily low-carbon or mild steel Q235,Q345B,C1045, which allows them to bend rather than crack.
- Manufacturing: They are forged or "cut" into shape, not poured into a mold.
- Historical Context: Prior to the 1890s, they were made of wrought iron.
- Exceptions: While standard rail spikes are forged, some modern specialty fasteners or replicas used for other purposes might be cast.
| Material | Manufacturing Process | Strength Grade | Tensile Strength | Surface Treatment | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q235 Carbon Steel | Hot forging | 4.6 / 5.6 | ≥ 370 MPa | Plain, Oxide Black, HDG | Light rail, mining track |
| 35# Carbon Steel | Hot forging + heat treatment | 4.6 / 5.6 | ≥ 450 MPa | Zinc, Sherardizing | Conventional railway |
| 45# Carbon Steel | Hot forging + heat treatment | 5.6 | ≥ 520 MPa | HDG, Dacromet | Heavy-duty industrial track |
| 40Cr Alloy Steel | Hot forging + quenching & tempering | 5.6 / 8.8 | ≥ 750 MPa | Dacromet, Zinc | Crane rail, high-load conditions |
What is the function of spikes in railway?
Railway spikes, including dog and screw types, primarily secure steel rails to sleepers (ties), maintaining the critical, precise track gauge and preventing lateral or longitudinal movement. They fix rails firmly to prevent derailment, transfer heavy loads, absorb vibrations, and withstand temperature-induced expansion/contraction, ensuring overall track stability and safety.
Key Functions of Railway Spikes:
- Securing the Rail: The primary role is to hold the rail firmly against the sleeper or base plate to prevent displacement caused by train movement.
- Maintaining Gauge: Spikes keep the precise distance (gauge) between the two rails, which is essential to prevent trains from derailing.
- Load Transfer: They assist in transferring the immense weight of passing trains from the rails to the sleepers and, ultimately, to the ballast.
- Preventing Movement: They restrict both horizontal (lateral) and vertical movement of the rails.
- Handling Thermal Expansion: They allow for slight, controlled movement during temperature changes while still holding the rail in place, preventing buckling.
- Vibration Absorption: They help absorb shocks and vibrations caused by heavy trains, which reduces wear and tear on the track.
Types of Spikes:
- Dog Spikes: Commonly used on wooden sleepers for their simple, effective, and economical, holding power.
| Specification | Material | Surface | Standard |
| 5/8*6 '' | A3,Q235, 45#,55#, etc | According to customer needs. | According to customer's drawings or samples. |
| 9/16*5-1/2 '' | |||
| 3/8''*3-1/2 '' | |||
| 1/2*3-1/2 | |||
| Other kinds |
- Screw Spikes: Offer over twice the holding power of dog spikes and are often used with concrete sleepers or where higher, more secure fastening is needed.
| the types of Ss Series Sleeper Screw | Product Name | Specification | Material | |
| 1 | Fishtail Bolt | M8-M64 | Q235,45#,55#,etc | |
| 2 | Screw Spike | Square Head Screw Spike | M16-M22 *145-200 | |
| Hexagon Head Screw Spike | ||||
| Other Types | ||||
| 3 | Sleeper Screw | Type | Specification | Weight/kg |
| Ss 1/130 | M22*130 | 0.451 | ||
| Ss 1/150 | M22*150 | 0.478 | ||
| Ss 2/180 | M22*180 | 0.595 | ||
| Ss 5/150 | M24*150 | 0.545 | ||
| Ss 6/130 | M26*130 | 0.658 | ||
| Ss 6/150 | M26*150 | 0.702 | ||
| Ss 6/170 | M26*170 | 0.385 | ||
| Ss 7/180 | M24*180 | 0.636 | ||
| Ss 8/140 | M24*140 | 0.528 | ||
| Ss 8/150 | M24*150 | 0.548 | ||
| Ss 8/160 | M24*160 | 0.568 | ||
| Ss 23/160 | M23*160 | 0.645 | ||
| Ss 24/165 | M24*165 | 0.59 | ||
| Ss 25/165 | M25*165 |
0.625 |
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Rail spike, one of the products of GNEE RAIL , is used to connect the steel rail with rail sleeper or bind the rail plate and rail sleeper together.As a professional rail fasteners supplier,GNEE RAIL offers different kinds of railway fasteners to meet client's requirements, such as Elastic Rail Clip and Clamp, Plastic Dowel, High Tensile Track Bolt with Nut, Rail Base(Tie) Plate, Rail Fish Plate, Railway Shoulder(Insert), Fish Bolt, Railroad Rubber and EVA Pad, etc. Samples and drawings provided by customer, we will manufacture qualified products accordingly.
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