Industry knowledge
Definition and function of railway spikes
Railway spikes are metal fasteners that fix rails to sleepers and are an important part of the railway track system. Its main function is to prevent the rails from moving laterally or longitudinally during train operation to ensure the stability and safety of the track.
Traditional railway spikes are mostly used in wooden sleeper structures, and common types include ordinary spikes, threaded spikes, and elastic spikes. Spikes must have high strength, good corrosion resistance, and strong pull-out resistance to adapt to various complex natural environments and train operation loads.
Different countries and regions have different requirements for the size, shape, material, and surface treatment of spikes based on railway standards, track laying forms, and the materials of sleepers used.
With the development of high-speed and heavy-duty railways, the design and materials of spikes are constantly being upgraded, and the accuracy and performance standards of modern railways for spikes have been significantly improved. Therefore, understanding the basic structure and function of railway spikes is the first step in understanding the entire railway track system.
