A steel rail is a continuous steel track element designed to withstand cyclic mechanical stress while maintaining fixed gauge and smooth rolling contact for vehicles operating on rail corridors or industrial lines. It integrates strength, wear resistance, and dimensional stability. GNEE RAIL supplies rails in GB 8–60 kg/m, UIC50/54/60, DIN536 A55–A120, QU70/80/100/120, JIS 15KG–CR100, AS1085 31–89 kg, BS11:1985, and AREMA/ASCE profiles, and also provides technical rail selection support and fastening system integration.
What is the difference between GB Rail and ASCE Rail?
The difference between GB (Chinese) rails and ASCE (American) rails lies in standards, dimensions, weight classifications, steel grades, and intended applications, reflecting differences in railway engineering practices between China and the United States. Here's a detailed comparison:
1. Standards and Regulatory Systems
- GB Rails: Governed by Chinese national standards (GB/T series), e.g., GB/T 11264‑2012 for light rails or GB/T 8162‑2018 for heavy railway rails. These standards specify dimensions, steel grades, mechanical properties, and manufacturing tolerances tailored for Chinese railway and industrial operations.
- ASCE Rails: Based on AREMA (American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association) / ASCE guidelines, specifying rail weight in pounds per yard (lb/yd), material properties, and tolerances. AREMA/ASCE rails are used in North America and regions following U.S. railway practices.
2. Units and Weight Classification
GB Rails: Weight is measured in kg per meter. Common examples:
- Light rail: 22 kg/m (GB 22 kg)
- Heavy rail: 50 kg/m (mainline standard)
| 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 | |
ASCE Rails: Weight is measured in lb/yd. Examples include:
- 90 lb/yd (~44.7 kg/m)
- 115 lb/yd (~57 kg/m)
| ASTM standard, AREMA standard | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Dimension(mm) | Weight (kg/m) |
Length(m) | |||
| Head | Height | Foot | Thickness | |||
| ASCE 25 | 38.1 | 69.85 | 69.85 | 7.54 | 12.4 | 6-12 |
| ASCE 30 | 42.86 | 79.38 | 79.38 | 8.33 | 14.88 | |
| ASCE 40 | 47.62 | 88.9 | 88.9 | 9.92 | 19.84 | |
| ASCE 60 | 60.32 | 107.95 | 107.95 | 12.3 | 29.76 | |
| ASCE 75 | 62.71 | 122.24 | 122.24 | 13.49 | 37.2 | 12-25 |
| ASCE 85 | 65.09 | 131.76 | 131.76 | 14.29 | 42.17 | |
| ASCE 90 | 69.09 | 130.18 | 142.88 | 14.29 | 44.65 | |
| ASCE 115 | 69.06 | 139.7 | 168.28 | 15.88 | 56.9 | |
| ASCE 136 | 74.61 | 152.4 | 185.74 | 17.46 | 67.41 | |
| ASCE 175 | 109.86 | 152.4 | 152.4 | 38.1 | 86.8 | |
This difference in unit systems also influences dimension conventions, like head width, base width, and rail height.
3. Rail Dimensions and Profiles
- GB Rails: Head, web, and base dimensions are defined in millimeters. For instance, GB 22 kg light rail: head 50.8 mm, height 93.66 mm, base 93.66 mm. Heavy rails (e.g., 50 kg/m) have a head ~65 mm and height ~135 mm.
- ASCE Rails: Dimensions are in inches, with profiles named according to weight. For example, 115 lb/yd rail: head 2.875 in (73 mm), height 6.25 in (159 mm), base 6.5 in (165 mm).
As a professional rail fastener supplier, GNEE RAIL can provide different standard steel rail such as GB,American, BS, UIC, DIN, JIS, Australian and South Africa which used in railway lines, cranes and coal mining.