A rail spike is a steel fastener driven through the base of the rail into the sleeper to secure the rail in place, maintain track gauge, and resist lateral and vertical movement caused by passing trains. Its design ensures stability and longevity of the track system.
GNEE RAIL supplies rail spikes in full international standards, including GB 8–60 kg/m rails, UIC50/54/60, DIN536 crane rails, QU70–QU120, JIS 15KG–CR100, AS1085 31–89 kg, BS11:1985, and AREMA/ASCE 25–175 lb, with options in Q235, 35#, 45#, and 40Cr, and services including cutting, surface treatment, and installation guidance.
What material are railroad spikes made of?
Railroad spikes, which secure rails to sleepers (ties) in both railway and crane track systems, are typically made from high-strength steel to withstand heavy loads, repeated impact, and environmental exposure. The most common steel grades used are carbon steels such as Q235, 35#, 45#, and alloy steels like 40Cr, chosen for their tensile strength, toughness, and resistance to deformation under high compressive forces.
| Category | Q235 (Mild Steel) | 35# Steel (Medium Carbon) | 45# Steel (Medium Carbon) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material Standard | GB/T 700 (Equivalent to: ASTM A36, S235JR) | GB/T 699 (Equivalent to: AISI 1035, 1.0501) | GB/T 699 (Equivalent to: AISI 1045, 1.0503) |
| Chemical Composition (wt%) | C: ≤0.22 Mn: 0.30-0.65 Si: ≤0.35 P: ≤0.045 S: ≤0.045 |
C: 0.32-0.40 Mn: 0.50-0.80 Si: 0.17-0.37 P: ≤0.035 S: ≤0.035 |
C: 0.42-0.50 Mn: 0.50-0.80 Si: 0.17-0.37 P: ≤0.035 S: ≤0.035 |
| Mechanical Properties | Yield Strength (ReH): ≥235 MPa Tensile Strength (Rm): 370-500 MPa Elongation (A): ≥26% Hardness: ~120 HB |
Yield Strength (ReH): ≥315 MPa Tensile Strength (Rm): ≥530 MPa Elongation (A): ≥20% Hardness: ~160-200 HB (Annealed) |
Yield Strength (ReH): ≥355 MPa Tensile Strength (Rm): ≥600 MPa Elongation (A): ≥16% Hardness: ~170-220 HB (Annealed) |
| Typical Applications | Spikes for light-duty tracks, temporary tracks, or low-speed branch lines. | General-purpose spikes for medium-duty tracks and standard railway applications. | High-strength spikes for mainlines, heavy-haul sections, and critical joints requiring superior wear resistance. |
To enhance durability and corrosion resistance, railroad spikes often undergo surface treatments, including plain (untreated), oxide black, zinc plating, hot-dip galvanizing (HDG), Dacromet coating, or Sherardizing. These treatments help protect the spikes from rust, oxidation, and environmental wear, especially in outdoor or coastal railway environments.
In some cases, special alloy steels are used for heavy-haul, high-speed, or industrial crane tracks, where spikes must resist high shear, bending, and fatigue loads.
Types of Railway Spike
Railway spikes, or track spikes, are essential fasteners designed to secure steel rails to wooden or concrete sleepers, categorized mainly into dog spikes and screw spikes. Dog spikes (cut spikes) are traditional, L-shaped nails used for wood, while screw spikes are used for higher durability, typically in concrete.
Key Types of Railway Spikes:
- Dog Spike (Cut Spike): A, traditionally used for wooden sleepers, featuring a square section and an offset head resembling a dog's lug.
| Specification | Material | Surface | Standard |
| 5/8*6 '' | A3,Q235, 45#,55#, etc | According to customer needs. | According to customer's drawings or samples. |
| 9/16*5-1/2 '' | |||
| 3/8''*3-1/2 '' | |||
| 1/2*3-1/2 | |||
| Other kinds |
- Screw Spike: A modern, more secure fastener with threads, usually installed in concrete sleepers with a plastic dowel or sulfur mixture, offering higher strength.
- Elastic Rail Spike: A type of high-strength, flexible spike used to reduce maintenance in high-traffic areas or on bridges and tunnels.
- Lock Spike / Drive Spike: A specialized spike used to fasten tie plates or to prevent rail movement.
Sub-types of Screw Spikes:
- Ss Series Sleeper Screw: A common type for concrete sleepers.
| Type | Specification | Weight/kg | Surface | Standard |
| Ss 1/130 | M22*130 | 0.451 | Natural,Zinc,Paint,Oil. According to your needs. | UIC,AREMA,GB or According to your drawings or samples. |
| Ss 1/150 | M22*150 | 0.478 | ||
| Ss 2/180 | M22*150 | 0.595 | ||
| Ss 5/150 | M24*150 | 0.545 | ||
| Ss 6/150 | M26*150 | 0.702 | ||
| Ss 7/180 | M24*180 | 0.636 | ||
| Ss 8/140 | M24*140 | 0.528 | ||
| Ss 8/150 | M24*150 | 0.548 |
- Square Head Screw Spike: Features a square head for easy tightening.
| 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 |
- Hexagon Screw Spike: Uses a hexagonal head for installation.
- Double-Head Screw Spike: Designed for specific fastening scenarios.
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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