Why choose R350HT over R260?

Where rail life is wear-limited — heavy axle loads, tight curves, corrugation-prone metro lines — the harder head roughly doubles grinding intervals and rail life versus R260, at a higher purchase price.

Grades · Structural & HSLA Steel · R350HT

R350HT

Data verified

R350HT is the heat-treated premium rail grade of EN 13674-1. In-line head hardening refines the pearlitic microstructure, pushing head hardness to 350–390 HBW and tensile strength above 1175 MPa — the standard answer for heavy-haul lines, sharp curves and high-tonnage metro systems where R260 wears too fast.

Hardness350–390 HBW (rail head)

DINR350HT (EN 13674-1)

GBU75V (near, GB/T 2585)

CategoryStructural & HSLA Steel

Chemical composition

Element	Content (%)
C	0.70–0.82
Si	0.15–0.58
Mn	0.65–1.25
P	≤0.020
S	≤0.025
Cr	≤0.30

Weight percent, per the governing standard ranges. Actual values per heat are on the mill certificate.

Properties

Tensile strength	≥1175 MPa (rail)
Hardness	350–390 HBW (rail head)
Density	7.85 g/cm³

Heat treatment

Head-hardened: the rail head is quenched from rolling heat (in-line heat treatment) to refine the pearlite and lift head hardness to 350–390 HBW.

Equivalent grades

Standard	Designation
din	R350HT (EN 13674-1)
gb	U75V (near, GB/T 2585)

Compare side by side: R350HT vs R260 · R350HT vs U75V

Equivalents overlap in chemistry and use but are not always identical — see our equivalents guide before substituting in certified designs.

Applications & Processing

Applications: Heavy-haul freight lines, high-speed and metro rails, sharp curves, switches and crossings.

Processing: Welding needs qualified head-hardened-rail procedures; grinding programmes differ from R260 because of the harder head.

FAQ

Why choose R350HT over R260?: Where rail life is wear-limited — heavy axle loads, tight curves, corrugation-prone metro lines — the harder head roughly doubles grinding intervals and rail life versus R260, at a higher purchase price.

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Source: EN 13674-1 published ranges · Last updated 2026-11-03. Data is indicative — verify critical values against the governing standard and mill certificate before use.