As an essential component of railway track structure, steel rail is applied to guide train wheels move forward. The function of rail is to withstand the enormous pressure of the wheel, and pass it to the sleepers. Steel rail must provide continuous, smooth rolling surface of least resistance to train wheel. Modern rail take many years to improve the quality of materials, for example, material of steel rail is changed into steel from iron. Steel rail is typically made into I-beam, and it is made of high-quality steel alloy.
Which steel is used in rails?
The railroad metal, commonly known as train track steel, is special steel in metallurgical products mainly used for railroad tracks. The rail bears the weight and dynamic load of the train. Its surface wears, and the head is impacted. The rail is subject to large bending stress, too. The complicated press and long-term service bring out damages to the rails.
Railways use high-carbon and alloy steels with added manganese, chromium, or vanadium for superior hardness, strength, and wear resistance, with common types like R260 and R350HT being heat-treated for enhanced performance, especially in high-stress areas like curves. These specialized steels withstand heavy loads and friction, unlike plain carbon steels, providing long service life for tracks.
| Steel Grade | C (%) | Si | Mn | P | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U71Mn | 0.65~0.76 | 0.15~0.58 | 0.70~1.40 | ≤0.035 | ≤0.030 |
| 50Mn | 0.47-0.55 | 0.17-0.37 | 0.70-1.00 | ≤0.030 | ≤0.030 |
| 60Mn | 0.57–0.65 | ≤ 0.40 | 0.70–1.00 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 0.030 |
| R260 | 0.60–0.80 | 0.10–0.50 | 0.80-1.30 | ≤ 0.025 | ≤ 0.020 |
| R350HT | 0.65–0.82 | 0.10–0.50 | 0.80–1.50 | ≤ 0.025 | ≤ 0.020 |
| 1080 | 0.75–0.88 | ≤ 0.40 | 0.60–0.90 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 0.030 |
| 1084 | 0.80–0.93 | ≤ 0.40 | 0.60–0.90 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 0.030 |
Steel Rail Processing & Accessories
- Custom Bending: Curved rails for crane tracks, mining systems, or circular applications. GNEE RAIL support hot and cold bending based on profile and radius needs.
- Precision Drilling: End or center drilling can be performed based on customer drawings or standard templates, allowing for the installation of fishplates or bolts.
- Angle Cutting/Beveling: Rails can be cut to specific angles for tight-fitting joints or welding preparation. Clean edges with minimal deformation.
- End Milling or Grinding: Flat milling or grinding of rail ends is available for applications requiring high alignment precision, such as long rail welding.
- Surface Treatment (Sandblasting & Anti-Rust Oiling): Sandblasting: Removes scale and rust to improve surface adhesion; Oiling: Anti-rust oil coating protects the rails during long-distance or marine transportation.
- Rail Bending: Curved rails can be custom-bent to a specified radius for use in turning sections, such as metro systems or mining railways. Detailed drawings or parameters from the customer are required.
- Rail Welding: Long rail welding services are available, mainly for large-scale railway construction projects.
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.
| 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 | |
