What type of steel is railroad track? - Knowledge

Steel Rails are the key parts of the rail track laid in two parallel lines to provide a continuous, steady and level surface for the runnings of trains.

What type of steel is railroad track?

Railroad tracks are primarily made from high-quality, hot-rolled medium-carbon steel, with specific additions of manganese, and sometimes chromium, vanadium, or niobium to enhance hardness, wear resistance, and fracture toughness needed to withstand heavy loads and high speeds. This steel composition provides the toughness and durability essential for rails, with surface hardening often applied for extra strength.

Key Components & Properties:

Carbon (0.7%-0.8%): Key for hardness and strength.

Manganese (0.7%-1.3%): Improves hardenability and wear resistance.

Alloying Elements (Cr, V, Nb): Add strength and improve performance in extreme conditions, notes Railroad Track For Sale.

Heat Treatment: Often applied (like quenching and tempering) to refine the microstructure, increasing strength and extending service life.

track rail

Steel Grade	C(%)	Si	Mn	Cr	V	P	S	Tensile Strength (Rm/MPa)
U71Mn	0.65~0.76	0.15~0.58	0.70~1.40	–	–	≤0.035	≤0.030	≥880
U75V	0.71~0.80	0.50~0.80	0.75~1.05	–	0.04~0.12	≤0.035	≤0.030	≥980

Q235B	Mechanical property						Chemical composition(%)
	Yield strength		Tensile strength		Elongation	Hardness	C	Si	Mn	S	P
	MPa	kg/mm²	MPa	kg/mm²	min	HB		≤		≤	≤
	≥	≥
	235	24	375-460	38-47	26%		0.12-0.22	0.35	0.30-0.70	0.045	0.045

55Q	Mechanical property						Chemical composition(%)
	Yield strength		Tensile strength		Elongation	Hardness	C	Si	Mn	S	P
	MPa	kg/mm²	MPa	kg/mm²	min	HBW				≤	≤
	≥	≥	≥	≥	min	≥				≤	≤
			685	69		197	0.50-0.60	0.15-0.35	0.60-0.90	0.04	0.04

Different standards for steel rail

Steel rail standards vary globally, differing in naming (kg/m vs. lbs/yd), dimensions (height, width), material composition (carbon/manganese levels), and application focus, with major systems including European (EN/UIC), American (AREMA/ASTM), Japanese (JIS), and Chinese (GB/T) standards, all aiming to provide strength, wear resistance, and stability for different train weights, speeds, and environments, from heavy-haul to light rail.

Key International Standards

European (EN/UIC): Uses kg/m (e.g., 60E1 for 60kg/m), with specific profiles like UIC 54, 60. Focuses on toughness and weldability (e.g., C45E steel).

Standard: UIC860
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
Size	Head	Height	Bottom	Thickness	Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
UIC50	70	152	125	15	50.46	12-25
UIC54	70	159	140	16	54.43
UIC60	74.3	172	150	16.5	60.21

American (AREMA/ASTM): Uses pounds per yard (e.g., 136RE for 136 lbs/yd), with profiles like 115RE, 132RE.

ASTM standard, AREMA standard
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
Size	Head	Height	Foot	Thickness	Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
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

Japanese (JIS): Uses N (New) designations (e.g., 50N, 60N) for 50kg, 60kg/m rails, plus older types like 37kg, 50kg.

steel rail

Standard: JIS E 1103/1101
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
Size	Head	Height	Bottom	Thickness	Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
JIS 15KG	42.86	79.37	79.37	8.33	15.2	9-10
JIS 22KG	50.8	93.66	93.66	10.72	22.3	9-10
JIS 30A	60.33	107.95	107.95	12.3	30.1	9-10
JIS 37A	62.71	122.24	122.24	13.49	37.2	10-25
JIS 50N	65	153	127	15	50.4	10-25
CR 73	100	135	140	32	73.3	10-12
CR 100	120	150	155	39	100.2	10-12

British (BS): Includes profiles like BS75A, BS100A, BS113A, often for lighter applications or older lines.

Standard: BS11:1985
Size	Dimension(mm)				Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
Size	Head	Height	Bottom	Thickness	Weight (kg/m)	Length(m)
50 O	52.39	100.01	100.01	10.32	24.833	6-18
60 A	57.15	114.3	109.54	11.11	30.618	6-18
75 A	61.91	128.59	114.3	12.7	37.455	8-25
75 R	61.91	128.59	122.24	13.1	37.041
80 A	63.5	133.35	117.47	13.1	39.761
80 R	63.5	133.35	127	13.49	39.674
90 A	66.67	142.88	127	13.89	45.099
100 A	69.85	152.4	133.35	15.08	50.182
113 A	69.85	158.75	139.7	20	56.398

Chinese (GB/T): Uses metric weights (e.g., 50kg/m, 60kg/m) and materials like U71Mn for heavy haul.

gb rail

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

Classification		Height(mm)	Head (mm)	Bottom (mm)	Thick(mm)	Weight (kg/m)
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

Classification		SIZE(mm)				theoretical weight
		height	bottom width	head width	waist depth
Crane rail	QU70	120	120	70	28	52.8
	QU80	130	130	80	32	63.69
	QU100	150	150	100	38	88.96
	QU120	170	170	120	44	118.1

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