A rail spike is a fastening anchor that restrains rail movement relative to sleepers, ensuring consistent rail seating and structural continuity of the track system under repeated axle loads. It is fundamental to track safety and long-term durability. GNEE RAIL provides complete rail spike solutions for GB, UIC, DIN536, QU, JIS, AS1085, BS11, and AREMA/ASCE standards, offering multiple material grades, corrosion-resistant coatings, and engineering support for fastening selection and deployment.
What is a square screw called?
A rail square screw spike is commonly called a square-head screw spike, sleeper screw, or rail screw. These, often referred to as coach screws or railway sleeper screws, are used to secure rail base plates and rails to wooden or concrete sleepers, specifically types like the Ss series (Ss1, Ss2, etc.).
| Type | Specification | Material | Surface | Standard |
| Square head screw spike | M22*145 | 45# | Natural | UIC |
| 55Q | Zinc | AREMA | ||
| M22*155 | Q235 | Paint | DIN | |
| M22*165 | or | Oil | GB | |
| M22*185 | According to your needs. | According to your needs. | or | |
| M22*195 | According to your drawings or samples. | |||
| Other kinds |
What are the advantages of using a Square head screw spike?
Square head screw spikes offer superior holding power, high torque transmission, and reduced cam-out, making them ideal for heavy-duty, repetitive, or one-handed installations in construction and railway sectors. The square recess design provides a, secure, stable grip for wrenches or drivers, reducing damage to the fastener.
Key Advantages of Square Head Screw Spikes:
- High Torque and Reduced Slippage: The square-shaped head provides a larger contact surface for tools, allowing higher torque transmission and minimal slipping or "cam-out" compared to Phillips heads.
- Superior Holding Power: They are highly effective in securing railway sleepers (both wood and concrete), providing significantly higher holding strength-often more than double-compared to traditional dog spikes.
- Stability and Precision: The tight, secure fit reduces the risk of the fastener rotating or breaking, which is critical for structural stability in railways and, heavy, timber construction.
- Ease of Installation and Removal: The design allows for easy, one-handed installation in, confined spaces or at heights using standard wrenches or, square drive bits.
- Durability and Versatility: Typically forged from high-strength carbon or stainless steel, these, spikes are durable, corrosion-resistant, and suitable for, rugged, industrial, or outdoor, environments.
What material are railroad spikes made of?
Railroad spikes are primarily made of low-carbon steel (such as Q235, 35#, or 45# carbon steel) to provide high toughness and ductility, allowing them to bend rather than snap under intense vibrations. They are designed to withstand high-impact, with specialized "higher carbon" (HC) spikes often used in curved, high-stress areas.
| 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. |
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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