R260 vs R350HT
These two grades are listed as equivalents of each other: their chemistry windows overlap and they serve the same applications. They are not always identical — check the differences below before substituting, especially in certified designs.
R260
Structural & HSLA Steel
R260 is the world’s standard rail steel grade to EN 13674-1, a pearlitic carbon-manganese steel whose as-rolled head hardness of 260–300 HBW balances wear against weldability and cost. Most conventional and mixed-traffic lines outside China are laid in R260.
Standards: DIN R260 (EN 13674-1) · GB U71Mn (near, GB/T 2585)
R350HT
Structural & HSLA Steel
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.
Standards: DIN R350HT (EN 13674-1) · GB U75V (near, GB/T 2585)
Chemical composition compared (%)
| Element | R260 | R350HT |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.62–0.80 | 0.70–0.82 |
| Si | 0.15–0.58 | 0.15–0.58 |
| Mn | 0.65–1.25 | 0.65–1.25 |
| P | ≤0.025 | ≤0.020 |
| S | ≤0.025 | ≤0.025 |
| Cr | ≤0.15 | ≤0.30 |
Properties compared
| Property | R260 | R350HT |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | ≥880 MPa (rail, as-rolled) | ≥1175 MPa (rail) |
| Hardness | 260–300 HBW (rail head) | 350–390 HBW (rail head) |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ | 7.85 g/cm³ |
Sourcing either grade?
Nasteel stocks both families from Shenzhen with EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates by heat number.
Ask for a quotationSee full data sheets: R260 · R350HT. Substitution decisions for certified parts stay with the design authority.