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Rail Screw Spike Fastening System
The Railway Screw Spike is a threaded fastening device characterized by a helical screw thread along its shank and a forged head, typically square or hexagonal, designed to be torqued into a pre-drilled pilot hole or plastic dowel within a sleeper . Unlike plain shank dog spikes that rely on displacement and friction, the screw spike converts applied torque into significant clamping force via its threads, creating a high-strength, removable anchorage that excels in resisting vertical uplift and maintaining consistent tension between the rail, tie plate, and sleeper under dynamic loading .
Technical Specifications:
| Parameter | Timber Sleeper Screw Spike | Concrete Sleeper Screw Spike (with Dowel) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Material Grade | Medium Carbon Steel (e.g., 45#) or Q235 | High-Strength Alloy Steel (Grade 8.8/10.9) |
| Thread Design | Deep, coarse pitch thread for wood engagement | Standard thread pitch for plastic dowel interface |
| Installation Requirement | Pre-drilled pilot hole in timber | Pre-installed threaded insert or dowel in concrete |
| Typical Head Style | Square or Hexagonal head for wrenching | Hexagonal or round head with drive slot |
| Corrosion Protection | Hot-dip galvanized or black oxide coating | Double-layer zinc or heavy-duty galvanization |
Installation & Maintenance Perspective:
- Helical Engagement and Pull-Out Resistance: The spiral thread profile translates rotational force into axial clamping pressure, engaging with the sleeper material (or a threaded insert) to provide superior resistance to vertical uplift compared to non-threaded fasteners .
- Torque-Related Clamping Force: The integrity of the fastening is directly correlated to the installation torque; proper tension ensures the tie plate is held firmly against the sleeper, maintaining friction that can reduce stress on the spikes by up to 80% .
- Thread Geometry Variations: Manufacturers can modify thread pitch and depth to optimize performance for different substrates-coarse threads for rapid installation in timber, and finer, high-volume threads for engagement with plastic dowels in concrete sleepers .
Maintenance & Operational Perspective
- Steel Composition Specifications: Manufacturing adheres to strict material standards (such as ASTM A66), requiring steel made by electric-furnace or basic-oxygen processes to ensure purity and consistent mechanical properties .
- Grade Classification and Strength: Spikes are produced in various strength grades (e.g., 4.6, 8.8, 10.9), with higher grades indicating greater tensile strength for heavy-haul applications where loads exceed 500kg per fastening .
- Hot and Cold Forming Methods: The heads and threads may be formed through hot-forging, which aligns grain flow for strength, or cold-forming, which provides precise dimensional control and a smooth surface finish .
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