What is uic 60?
UIC 60 rails, also known as 60E1 or 60 kg/m rail, is the heaviest and most robust profile within the European UIC standard series. Designed to support extreme axle loads and high-speed rail operations, it is widely adopted in national railway systems, metro networks, and heavy-duty freight corridors.
uic60 rail dimensions:
| Height: 172 mm | Base Width: 150 mm |
| Head Width: 72 mm | Web Thickness: 16.5 mm |
| Length: 12m-25m(customization) | Material: 900A/1100 |
| Weight: 60.21kg/m | Standard: EN13674-1 |
What is the material of UIC60 rail?
The material composition of the UIC 60 rail (technically designated as the 60E1 profile under the EN 13674-1 standard) is the critical foundation that determines its load-bearing capacity, wear resistance, and longevity in high-speed and heavy-haul railway networks.
R260 grade steel, an unalloyed carbon steel offering a minimum tensile strength of 880 MPa, which is highly cost-effective and ideal for standard straight mainline tracks. However, for sharp curved tracks or heavy-haul lines subjected to extreme rolling contact fatigue, the material is upgraded to R320Cr (Chromium-alloyed) or R350HT (Heat Treated) steel. The R350HT grade undergoes specialized head-hardening processes, elevating its tensile strength to a minimum of 1175 MPa and significantly increasing its Brinell hardness for maximum durability.
| min A5 % | ||||
| EN 13674 - 1 (2006) | ||||
| R200 | 680 |
14 | 200 - 240 | |
| R260 | 880 |
10 | 260 - 300 | |
| R260 MN | 880 |
10 | 260 - 300 | |
| R350 HT | 1175 |
9 | 350 - 390 | |
The exceptional performance of the UIC 60 rail steel is dictated by a meticulously balanced chemical composition. The relatively high carbon content (typically ranging from 0.60% to 0.82%) provides the essential hardness required to resist plastic deformation under heavy locomotive axle loads. Manganese (0.80% to 1.25%) is alloyed to enhance both tensile strength and deep hardenability, while Silicon acts as a crucial deoxidizer during the steelmaking process to ensure a flawless internal microstructure.
's UIC60 Rail features optimized profile design. The wide base boosts stability, the thick rail head resists wear, and the tough body reduces deformation under heavy axle loads. It works smoothly for freight, high‑speed passenger, and mainline railways.