This document specifies switch and crossing rails that carry railway wheels as specified in ISO 5003. These are used in conjunction with flat bottom (vignole) railway rails. After switch and crossing rails are produced, in order to be ready for railway track use, secondary processing (forging, grinding and heat treatment etc.) is carried out. This document does not include secondary processing. Secondary processing is specified in other standards or through agreements between manufacturer and purchaser.

Sixteen pearlitic steel grades are specified, covering a hardness range of 200 HBW to 440 HBW, and include non-heat-treated carbon manganese steels, non-heat-treated alloy steels, heat-treated carbon manganese and heat-treated low