Types Of Rail Spikes
Rail spikes, an essential component of GNEE Rail Fasteners' product line, serve to secure steel rails to rail sleepers or to bind rail plates and sleepers together. Typically, rail spikes are categorized into four types: standard spikes, frost-resistant spikes, spring spikes, and screw spikes.
Standard Spikes
Also known as hook spikes or dog spikes, standard spikes are primarily utilized for fastening steel rails or rail plates to sleepers. Each side boasts a 16mm cross-section, with a length of 165mm. The surface of the spike should exhibit smoothness and brightness, with flying edges not exceeding 2mm. Additionally, there should be no cracks at the head-rod joint, and the cutting edge should be devoid of burrs and folds.
Frost-Resistant Spikes
Frost-resistant spikes share the same material and manufacturing process as standard spikes but are distinguished by their greater length, designed to combat frost-related damage. Available in lengths ranging from 185mm to 280mm, these spikes offer various options tailored to different plate thicknesses and degrees of damage.
Spring Spikes
Crafted from round or square spring steel, spring spikes feature multiple patterns. The clamping portion exhibits elastic deformation, significantly reducing rail vibrations, hence the moniker "spring spike." Even when sleepers deform under stress, spring spikes maintain ample clamping force on fasteners, boasting higher pulling and thrust resistance compared to standard spikes. However, their usage is infrequent in China.
Screw Spikes
Designed to connect steel rails to concrete sleepers, screw spikes feature a threaded lower rod and an upper bolt. While offering 0.5 to 1.0 times higher pulling resistance than standard spikes, their thrust resistance is approximately 50% lower. Primarily employed in track turnouts, installing screw spikes involves affixing the rod into the reserved hole of the concrete sleeper and utilizing upper bolts to secure gusset plates or elastic components.