This specification covers heat-treated carbon steel joint bars, microalloyed joint bars, and forged compromise joint bars to be used in standard railroad track and production of insulated joints. Manufacturing of the steel shall be done either by basic-oxygen process, electric-furnace process, or both. The chemical composition of the steel joint bars shall be within the limits specified for carbon, manganese, phosphorus, and sulfur. Requirements for heat or cast analysis, product analysis, and tensile testing are detailed. Specifications for the material tensile properties such as tensile strength, yield point, yield strength, and elongation are given.

1.1 This specification covers heat-treated carbon steel joint bars, microalloyed joint bars, and forged compromise joint bars for general use in standard railroad track.

1.2 The joint bars may be used for the production of insulated joints.

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