What steel is used for the manufacture of rails?

Jan 12, 2026 Leave a message

Steel rail is a type of steel bar that has a long, rectangular cross-section in the shape of an I or U. It is used to install railway tracks, and tracks for specialized vehicles such as cranes, trolleys, and locomotives, etc.They are produced from iron ore, through the processes of metallurgy, hot rolling, cold rolling, and heat treatment, to create different types of steel according to different standards and specifications.

 

track rail

 

What steel is used for the manufacture of rails?

 

Rail steel is a specialized category of steel designed primarily for the manufacture of railway tracks and related components. It is classified as a medium-carbon alloy steel, typically containing a balanced mix of carbon, manganese, and other alloying elements that enhance its mechanical properties. The primary alloying elements in rail steel include carbon (C), manganese (Mn), and sometimes small amounts of silicon (Si), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni). These elements contribute to the steel's strength, wear resistance, and overall durability.

 

Element (Symbol and Name) Percentage Range (%)
C (Carbon) 0.60 - 0.80
Mn (Manganese) 0.70 - 1.20
Si (Silicon) 0.10 - 0.50
Cr (Chromium) 0.10 - 0.30
Ni (Nickel) 0.00 - 0.20
P (Phosphorus) ≤ 0.05
S (Sulfur) ≤ 0.05


Rail steel is engineered to withstand the extreme conditions of railway operations, including heavy loads, dynamic stresses, and environmental factors. Its most significant characteristics include high tensile strength, excellent wear resistance, and good toughness, which are essential for maintaining structural integrity under heavy traffic.

 

light rail

 

Standard Organization Designation/Grade Country/Region of Origin Notes/Remarks
UNS R260 USA Closest equivalent to EN 10025 S355
AISI/SAE 1080 USA High carbon content for improved hardness
ASTM A1 USA General specification for rail steel
EN 10025 S355 Europe Structural steel with similar properties
DIN 536 A Germany Minor compositional differences to be aware of
JIS G3101 SS400 Japan Comparable but with different mechanical properties
GB Q235 China Lower strength compared to typical rail steel
ISO 6301 International Standard for railway applications

 

Since 2008, GNEE RAIL has been supplying steel rails of different grades for more than 18 years, steel rails from GNEE is highly recommened in China and abroad.Wtih cutting edge equipment, GNEE produces high quality steel rails that meet with requirements of most countries. Standard rail, head hardened rail, heavy rail,light rail,crane rail and other types are all available here, as one of the China main rail supplier, GNEE RAIL has been working on supplying economical green railway products all over the world.

 

qu rail

 

Rail Type Standard Size Material Standard Length
QU Series Chinese
YB/T 5055-2014
QU70, QU80,
QU100, QU120
U71Mn, U75V 12m
A Series German
DIN536
A45, A55,
A65, A75,
A100, A120, A150
50Mn,U71Mn 10/12/15m
ASCE Series American
ASTM, AREMA
ASCE25, ASCE40, ASCE60,
ASCE75, ASCE85, ASCE90, ASCE115, ASCE136
700/900A/1100 6-12m, 12-25m
UIC Series International Union of Railways
UIC860-0, EN-13674-1
UIC50, UIC54, UIC60 900A/1100 12-25m
Mining Rail GB /T 11264-2012 8kg, 9kg, 12kg, 15kg, 18kg, 22kg,
24kg, 30kg
Q235B, 55Q 6-24m
Heavy Railroad Rails GB 2585-2007 38kg, 43kg, 50kg, 60kg, 75kg 50Mn,U71Mn 6-24m
BS Series British
BS11-1985
BS50'O',BS60A,BS60R,
BS75A,BS75R,BS80A,
BS100A,BS113A
700/900A 8-25m
JIS Series Japanese
JIS E1103/1101
15kg, 22kg, 30A, 37A, 50N,
CR73, CR100
According to JIS 9-10m
AS Series Australian
AS 1085
31kg, 41kg, 47kg, 50kg,
53kg, 60kg, 66kg, 68kg,
73kg, 86kg, 89kg
900A/1100 8-25m
EN Series EN Standard
EN 13674-4
54E1, 60E1, 39E1, 45E1, 49E1, 49E2, 49E5, 50E1, 50E6, 54E4 R200, R260, R260MN, R350HT 6-24m
ISCOR Series South African
ISCOR
15kg, 22kg, 30kg,
40kg, 48kg, 57kg
700/900A 9-25m

 

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