Railway Spikes
Railroad spikes are a common type of rail fastener used to connect the steel rail and the railway sleeper. There are many types of spikes, including screw spikes and dog spikes. From the appearance point of view, the most prominent difference between the screw spike and the ordinary spike is that the surface of the shank carries an obvious thread. In terms of cost, the screw spike requires a higher cost than the dog spike, but it offers greater fixing power, approximately twice that of a plain rail spike, and it can be used in combination with spring washers for improved track stability.
General Specification Range
Railway spikes can be supplied against AREMA, UIC, GB or other standards following customer needs. The type can be screw spike or dog spike, with various head types, neck types and body types available. The length range is from 10 mm to 1000 mm. Common surface finishes include plain oiled, black, hot-dip galvanized and other coatings. Typical steel materials are Q235, 35, 45, 60, 16Mn, 65Mn, 40Cr, 20MnTiB, 35CrMo and 42CrMo. Property grades commonly offered are 3.6, 4.6, 4.8, 5.6, 5.8, 6.8, 8.8, 9.8, 10.9 and 12.9. Specific spike specifications are manufactured according to customer drawings.
Dog Spike Specifications
The dog spike is used mainly on wooden sleepers. Its square shank and chisel tip are driven into the sleeper with a hammer, and the shape of the head suits the rail base. Common inch-series sizes and material options are shown below.
| Specification | Material | Surface | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8 x 6 inches | A3, Q235, 45, 55 etc | According to customer needs | According to customer drawings or samples |
| 9/16 x 5-1/2 inches | A3, Q235, 45, 55 etc | According to customer needs | According to customer drawings or samples |
| 3/8 x 3-1/2 inches | A3, Q235, 45, 55 etc | According to customer needs | According to customer drawings or samples |
| 1/2 x 3-1/2 inches | A3, Q235, 45, 55 etc | According to customer needs | According to customer drawings or samples |
| Other kinds | Per request | Per request | Per request |
Screw Spike Specifications
Screw spikes are classified into series such as Ss5, Ss8, Ss25 and Ss36, as well as the UIC 864-1 series. Typical raw materials are Q235, 35 steel, 45 steel, 40Mn2 and 20MnSi. Common property grades are 4.6, 4.8, 5.6 and 8.8. Surface options include plain oiled, black paint, color paint, zinc plating and hot-dip galvanizing. Screw spikes are widely used with plastic dowels on concrete sleepers and with ribbed base plates on wooden sleepers, and they develop about twice the holding power of an ordinary dog spike.
Selection and Quality Points
When specifying railway spikes, confirm the sleeper type first, because dog spikes suit wooden sleepers while screw spikes are normally paired with plastic dowels or cast-in inserts on concrete sleepers. Then define the required holding force, corrosion environment and applicable standard. Check that the thread profile, length and diameter match the rail base and the sleeper fastening arrangement. For demanding applications, screw spikes combined with spring washers improve resistance to loosening, while hot-dip galvanizing extends service life in humid or coastal environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a screw spike and a dog spike? The screw spike has a threaded shank and is screwed into the sleeper, while the dog spike has a square shank and is driven in with a hammer.
How much stronger is a screw spike than a dog spike? The screw spike provides approximately twice the fixing power of an ordinary rail spike and can be combined with spring washers.
What standards are used for railway spikes? Common standards include AREMA, UIC, GB and JIS, and custom spikes can also be made according to customer drawings or samples.
What materials are railway spikes made of? Typical steels include Q235, 35, 45, 55, 16Mn, 65Mn, 40Cr, 20MnTiB, 35CrMo and 42CrMo, depending on the required strength and environment.
What surface treatments are available? Plain oiled, black, zinc plating and hot-dip galvanized finishes are the most common options.
