What Is Mining Rail?
Mining rail is an important railway track material. It refers to the steel rail used for light rail, featuring light weight, small cross-sectional area, and low load-carrying capacity.
The material of mining rail is generally high-quality carbon steel, processed through multiple procedures such as rolling, forging, and quenching, with excellent strength, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. Its advantages include light weight, simple installation, convenient maintenance, and low cost.
What are the specifications for light steel rail?
Light steel rail specifications vary but generally weigh ≤ 30 kg/meter, have an I-shape, and common types include P11, P18, P24 (Chinese GB standards), materials like Q235/55Q, and lengths of 6-12 meters, used for temporary or light-duty tracks in mines, factories, and construction, featuring specific dimensions like height, head width, and web thickness for each weight class (e.g., 24kg rail is about 107mm high).
| 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 | |
How to choose the appropriate light rail specification?
Choosing light rail specifications involves matching operational needs (speed, load, traffic) with rail properties (weight, profile, steel grade) and environmental factors, adhering to regional standards (UIC, AREMA), and ensuring supplier quality, focusing on a balance of strength, cost, and durability for long-term performance. Key factors include axle load (heavier for higher loads), traffic volume (more traffic needs heavier rail), speed, desired stiffness, and compatibility with existing infrastructure (sleepers, fasteners).
1. Define Your Application & Requirements
- Purpose: Urban transit, freight, heritage line, maintenance track?
- Axle Load: Higher loads (e.g., >25 tons) demand heavier rails (e.g., >49.6 kg/m).
- Traffic Density: High traffic routes need stronger, more rigid rails.
- Speed: Faster speeds require more stable track, often heavier rail.
- Environment: Consider corrosive conditions (coastal, industrial) for steel grade.
2. Select Rail Specifications
- Weight (Mass per Meter): Key indicator of load capacity (e.g., 49.6 kg/m is common for light rail).
- Profile (Section): Determined by weight and application; must suit fasteners and gauge.
- Material (Steel Grade): Standard grades (like U71Mn) offer strength; analyze for fatigue and wear resistance.
- Stiffness: Heavier rails provide greater stiffness, beneficial for poorer subgrades.
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.