This specification deals with carbon steel girder rails of plain, grooved, and guard types. Materials considered in this specification are grouped into three classes (Class A, B, and C) based on type, weight, and chemistry (carbon, manganese, phosphorus, and silicon compositions). Steel samples shall be melt processed by either open-hearth, basic-oxygen, or electric furnace, and may be cast by a continuous process or in ingots. Material specimens shall undergo product analysis and tests, and shall conform to required chemical and physical attributes such as chemical composition, Brinell hardness, weight, length, sectioning, end finishing, drilling and punching specifications. Rails shall be finished by cold straightening in a press or roller machine to remove twists, waves and kinks. Final products shall be marked either by brand and stamp, paint, or bar code.

1.1 This specification covers carbon steel girder rails of three classes based on type or type and weight, and chemistry defined as follows and in Table 1.

1.1.1 Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, girder-guard rails shall be Class A.

1.1.2 Plain and grooved-girder rails under 135 lb/yd (67.1 kg/m) in weight shall be specified by the purchaser as either Class A or Class B.

1.1.3 Plain and grooved-girder rails of 135 lb/yd in weight and heavier shall be Class C, unless otherwise specified.

1.2 The values states in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.