A rail spike is a fastening element designed to secure the rail foot to timber, composite, or steel sleepers, providing longitudinal and lateral restraint while accommodating thermal expansion and dynamic forces from rolling stock. GNEE RAIL provides 3V screw spikes, Coach Screw Spikes, and other rail spikes for GB 8–60 kg/m, UIC50/54/60, DIN536, QU70–QU120, JIS 15KG–CR100, AS1085 31–89 kg, BS11, and AREMA/ASCE 25–175 lb, with surface treatment options and full technical installation guidance.
| the types of Ss Series Sleeper Screw | Product Name | Specification | Material | Surface | Standard | |
| 1 | Fishtail Bolt | M8-M64 | Q235,45#,55#,etc | Zinc,Plain, Black Oil | UIC,AREMA,JIS,GB or according to your requests. | |
| 2 | Screw Spike | Square Head Screw Spike | M16-M22 *145-200 | |||
| Hexagon Head Screw Spike | ||||||
| Other Types | ||||||
| 3 | Sleeper Screw | Type | Specification | Weight/kg | Surface | Standard |
| Ss 1/130 | M22*130 | 0.451 | Zinc,Plain, Black Oil | UIC,AREMA,JIS,GB or according to your requests. | ||
| 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 | ||||
What are most railroad spikes made of?
Railroad spikes are primarily made of low-carbon steel or medium-carbon steel (such as Q235, Q345, or 45# steel). This material choice ensures the spikes are durable yet flexible enough to be driven into wooden ties without shattering.
Key details about railroad spike material:
- Material Properties: They are designed to be tough rather than extremely hard, allowing them to bend slightly under stress.
- Common Grades: Frequently used materials include Q235 (good plasticity and toughness) and 45# carbon steel (higher strength).
- Hardness vs. Brittleness: While some may have a higher carbon content for increased strength, extremely high carbon is avoided to prevent the spikes from becoming too brittle.
- Alternatives: In certain environments, spikes may be made from stronger, low-alloy steels.
| Feature | Q235 Steel | 35# Steel (AISI 1035) | 45# Steel (AISI 1045) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material Class | Structural Carbon Steel (Mild Steel) | Medium Carbon Steel | Medium Carbon Steel |
| Primary Characteristic | Good Ductility & Weldability, Economical | Balanced Strength & Toughness | High Strength & Wear Resistance |
| Carbon Content Range | Low (≤ 0.22%) | Medium (0.32-0.40%) | Medium-High (0.42-0.50%) |
| Typical Hardness (as rolled) | ~120 HB | ~160-200 HB | ~170-220 HB |
| Core Mechanical Trade-off | Lower strength, higher ductility. Prone to deformation under high stress. | Optimal balance. Withstands significant impact and shear forces. | Highest strength, lower ductility. Requires proper heat treatment to avoid brittleness. |
| Key Performance Risk | Spiking failure under heavy or repeated loading. | Generally reliable for most standard conditions. | Potential for brittle fracture if not heat-treated correctly. |
| Recommended Service Environment | - Light traffic lines - Temporary tracks - Non-critical sidings |
- Mainline tracks (moderate axle loads) - General-purpose applications |
- Heavy-haul mainlines - High-stress zones (curves, switches) - High-speed corridors |
| Lifecycle Consideration | Lower initial cost, but may require more frequent inspection and replacement in demanding service. | Best value for money in standard service due to good durability and cost balance. | Highest initial and potential processing cost, but offers the longest service life in severe conditions. |
Why are railway spikes used in railways?
Railway spikes are essential fasteners used to secure steel rails to wooden sleepers (ties), maintaining the track's gauge (distance between rails) to prevent derailments. They provide structural stability by anchoring the rail and, in some cases, the tie plate, allowing for necessary, slight movement while resisting lateral and longitudinal forces.
Key Functions and Types
- Safety & Stability: They ensure the track remains straight and secure, preventing train derailments.
- Dog Spikes: Named for the two lugs on their heads, these are traditional, durable, and cost-effective fasteners.
- Screw Spikes: These provide superior holding power, with more than twice the grip of traditional dog spikes, and are often used in modern, high-load scenarios to prevent rail movement.
- Design Efficiency: The chisel-shaped, low-carbon steel design is driven perpendicular to the wood grain, which increases resistance to loosening.
- Cost-Effective Maintenance: They are a durable solution for rail maintenance,, reducing the need for expensive, heavy, and bulky cast-iron chairs.
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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