Rail track, also called railroad rail, railroad track, steel rail and so on, is widely used in the railway track system. Together with the cooperation with the railroad switch, it can make trains running without turning to the other directions. In general, rail track is consist of two parallel steel tracks and lays steadily on the railway sleepers.
How to select the appropriate type of steel rail?
Type of steel rails
The steel rail type is customarily expressed by the mass kilogram per meter of rail (kg/m). Chinese rail standards are 75kg/m, 60kg/m, 50kg/m, 43kg/m, 38kg/m, etc. Internationally, there are AREMA, BS, JIS, UIC, DIN, and other standard rails.
Chinese standard Track Rail
| 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 | |
Japanese industrial standard steel rail
| Size | A | B | C | t | Weight (kg/m) |
| JIS 15kg | 42.86 | 79.37 | 79.37 | 8.33 | 15.2 |
| JIS 22kg | 50.8 | 93.66 | 93.66 | 10.72 | 22.3 |
| JIS 30A | 60.33 | 107.95 | 107.95 | 12.3 | 30.1 |
| JIS 37A | 62.71 | 122.24 | 122.24 | 13.49 | 37.2 |
| JIS 50N | 65 | 153 | 127 | 15 | 50.4 |
| CR 73 | 100 | 135 | 140 | 32 | 73.3 |
| CR 100 | 120 | 150 | 155 | 39 | 100.2 |
UIC standard steel rail
| Size | A | B | C | t | Weight (kg/m) |
| UIC54 | 70 | 159 | 140 | 16 | 54.43 |
| UIC60 | 74.3 | 172 | 150 | 16.5 | 60.21 |
The type of rails should be adapted to the volume, allowable speed and axle weight. The choice of rail type should be considered according to the transportation conditions. Technically, it should ensure sufficient strength, toughness, wear resistance, and stability; economically, it should ensure reasonable overhaul cycle and reduce maintenance. The main factors that determine the quality (weight) of the rails:
- First, the quality of the rail must match the locomotive axle weight, axle speed ratio is generally above 2.75, increasing the quality of the rail to match the locomotive axle weight;
- Secondly, under certain speed conditions, the impact of the wheel on the rail, the vibration of the rail components and the rail bed is inversely proportional to the rail quality. To improve the speed of train operation and ensure the quality of railroad lines, it is necessary to improve the quality of the rails.
- Third, the greater the total mass passed, the more likely to cause fatigue damage of rail components and geometric deformation of the rail. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the matching rails according to the annual total mass, so as not to affect the service life of the rails and shorten the maintenance cycle of line maintenance.
Applications
Steel rail products are used for a wide range of transportation functions, as outlined below:
- Public transportation - passenger railroads, underground railroads, trams.
- Freight logistics - bulk material transportation.
- Cranes, fixed rail lifting equipment for short and heavy-haul transportation.
At GNEE RAIL, we specialize in providing a full range of rail components, including heavy rail,light rail, crane rail and rail fastening, as well as matching high-performance rail clips and fastening solutions. Backed by strict quality control and industry certifications, our products are engineered to meet international standards and diverse project demands.
