What kind of steel is used in rails? - Knowledge

Steel rails, also called railroad rails, are primarily used for railway tracks in transportation systems. They are a key component of railway systems, providing a stable and durable track for passenger trains, freight trains, and high-speed rail networks or subways.

heavy rail

What kind of steel is used in rails?

Rails primarily use high-carbon steel, often alloyed with manganese for extra hardness and wear resistance, and are sometimes heat-treated (head-hardened) for high-stress areas like curves, with common grades including u71mn,u75v,R260 and R350HT, designed for strength, durability, and withstanding heavy loads and friction.

Key Types of Rail Steel:

High-Carbon Steel (Pearlitic Steel): The most common base, offering good strength and hardness by balancing iron and carbon (around 0.4% to 0.8% carbon).

Manganese Steel: Contains added manganese, which helps the surface work-harden, becoming extremely tough and wear-resistant under wheel impacts.

Heat-Treated Steel (Head-Hardened): The rail head is heat-treated for maximum hardness and wear resistance, crucial for high-speed or heavy-traffic lines.

Alloy Steels: Steel with added elements like chromium (R320Cr) or vanadium for improved performance, strength, and fatigue resistance.

light rail

Steel Grade	C(%)	Si	Mn	Cr	V	P	S	Tensile Strength (Rm/MPa)
U71Mn	0.65~0.76	0.15~0.58	0.70~1.40	–	–	≤0.035	≤0.030	≥880
U75V	0.71~0.80	0.50~0.80	0.75~1.05	–	0.04~0.12	≤0.035	≤0.030	≥980
U78CrV	0.72~0.82	0.50~0.80	0.70~1.05	0.30~0.50	0.04~0.12	≤0.035	≤0.030	≥1080
U77MnCr	0.72~0.82	0.10~0.50	0.80~1.10	0.25~0.40	–	≤0.035	≤0.025	≥980
U76CrRE	0.71~0.81	0.50~0.80	0.80~1.10	0.25~0.35	0.04~0.08	≤0.035	≤0.025	≥1080

How are track rails manufactured?

Track rails are manufactured through a process of steelmaking, continuous casting into slabs (blooms), followed by hot rolling through specialized machines that shape the steel into the rail's I-beam profile (head, web, base), and finally, finishing steps like controlled cooling, straightening, cutting, and often heat treatment (quenching & tempering) for hardness, with long rails often flash-butt welded for seamless tracks.

steel rail

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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

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