steel rail
As an essential component of railway track structure, steel rail is applied to guide train wheels move forward. The function of rail is to withstand the enormous pressure of the wheel, and pass it to the sleepers. Steel rail must provide continuous, smooth rolling surface of least resistance to train wheel. Modern rail take many years to improve the quality of materials, for example, material of steel rail is changed into steel from iron. Steel rail is typically made into I-beam, and it is made of high-quality steel alloy. The strength of rails and other track parts is important for train to keep faster and safety.
Types of rail
According to different ways like weight, standard, tensile strength, steel rail can be divided into several types. Take national standard as an example, we can classify Steel rail into the following types.
| Q235 | 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 | ||
| 55Q | Mechanical property | Chemical composition(%) | |||||||||
| Yield strength | Tensile strength | Elongation | Hardness | C | Si | Mn | S | P | |||
| MPa
≥ |
kg/mm²
≥ |
MPa
≥ |
kg/mm²
≥ |
min | HBW
≥ |
≤ | ≤ | ||||
| 685 | 69 | 197 | 0.50-0.60 | 0.15-0.35 | 0.60-0.90 | 0.040 | 0.040 | ||||
Chinese standard steel rail
By the weight per meter, Chinese standard steel rail can be classified into three types, such as heavy rail, light rail and crane rail. When the weight per meter of steel rail is equal to or less than 30kg, it is called light rail. On the contrary, heavy rail is refer to the weight per meter of rail is more than 30kg.
| Type |
Height (mm) |
Base Width (mm) |
Head Withd (mm) |
Web(mm) |
Theoretical Weight (kg/m) |
Length (m) |
Materials |
| 6KG | 50.8 | 50.8 | 25.4 | 4.76 | 5.98 | 6-12 | Q235 |
| 8KG | 65 | 54 | 25 | 7.0 | 8.42 | ||
| 9KG | 63.5 | 63.5 | 32.1 | 5.9 | 8.94 | Q235/55Q | |
| 12KG | 69.85 | 69.85 | 38.1 | 7.54 | 12.2 | ||
| 15KG | 79.37 | 79.37 | 42.86 | 8.33 | 15.2 | ||
| 18KG | 90 | 80 | 40 | 10.0 | 18.06 | ||
| 22KG | 93.66 | 93.66 | 50.80 | 10.72 | 22.30 | ||
| 24KG | 107 | 92 | 51 | 10.9 | 24.46 | ||
| 30KG | 107.95 | 107.95 | 60.33 | 12.30 | 30.10 |
Technical Reasoning Behind Selection
In industrial and mining applications, loads are usually moderate but repetitive, which can cause fatigue in lighter rails. The 24kg profile provides a stronger rail head and base support while remaining easier to handle and install. This combination supports stable performance without overspending.
Operational Cost Benefits
Choosing a rail that matches expected operating conditions results in:
- Lower initial procurement cost
- Reduced installation labor time
- Longer service intervals
- Lower maintenance costs
This is especially relevant when rails are expected to last years under cyclical load conditions.
🔹 GNEE STEEL Recommendation:
If your project load profile, operating frequency, and budget point to a balanced rail solution, GB Standard 24kg rail from GNEE STEEL is an excellent choice. We also offer professional rail selection advice and full technical support to help you make the most cost-effective decision. Connect with us for a custom solution and pricing plan.
