Rail clips are not made from simple cast iron or ordinary steel, but rather from specially processed high-performance spring steel. While the primary component of spring steel is iron, its key value lies in its precise chemical composition and complex manufacturing process. Significantly enhance the mechanical properties of the steel by adding specific proportions of alloying elements such as carbon, silicon, manganese, and chromium. These elements work together to give the material a high elastic limit and fatigue strength while maintaining toughness-properties that plain iron or low-carbon steel completely lack.
| E-type Clips | |||
| Model | Diameter | Material | Hardness |
| E1809 | ø20 | 60Si2MnA | 44-48 |
| E1813 | ø18 | 60Si2MnA | 44-48 |
| E2001 | ø20 | 60Si2MnA | 44-48 |
| E2039 | ø20 | 60Si2MnA | 60Si2MnA |
| E2055 | ø20 | 60Si2MnA | 60Si2MnA |
| SKL Tension clips | |||
| Model | Diameter | Material | Hardness |
| SKL1 | ø13 | 60Si3CrA | 42-47 |
| SKL3 | ø13 | 60Si3CrA | 42-47 |
| SKL12 | ø13 | 38Si7 | 42-47 |
| SKL14 | ø14 | 60Si2MnA | 42-47 |
| Other Rail Clips | |||||
| Model | Russia rail clip | Deenik clip | Anti-vandal clip | Fast clip GL1419 | GL1419 |
| Diameter | ø18 | ø25 | ø18 | ø15 | ø14 |
Rail Clip Material
| Material | 60Si2MnA | 60Si2CrA | 55Si2Mn | 38Si7 |
| Chemical composition(%) | C:0.56-0.64, Mn:0.60-0.90, Si:1.60-2.00, Cr:≤0.35, P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03 | C:0.56-0.64, Mn:0.40-0.70, Si:1.40-1.80,Cr:0.70-1.00 P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03 | C:0.52-0.60, Mn:0.60-0.90, Si:1.50-2.00,Cr:≤0.35 P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03 | C:0.35-0.42, Mn:0.50-0.80, Si:1.50-1.80, P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03 |
The essence of rail clip manufacturing lies in its strict heat treatment process. The steel, formed initially by hot rolling, undergoes quenching and high-temperature tempering. Quenching gives the steel a hard martensitic structure, and the subsequent tempering adjusts its internal microstructure, achieving a perfect balance between ultra-high strength and sufficient toughness, ultimately resulting in a stable tempered troostite structure. This microstructure ensures that the rail clip can provide a consistent clamping force over millions of load cycles without plastic deformation or fatigue fracture. Using ordinary cast iron, where internal graphite flakes cause stress concentrations, would lead to brittle fracture under dynamic loads, completely failing to meet the safety requirements of rail fastening.
Furthermore, to withstand harsh outdoor environments, rail clip surfaces are typically treated with rigorous anti-corrosion coatings. The most common method is hot-dip galvanizing, which creates a dense zinc alloy layer on the steel surface, effectively isolating it from moisture and corrosive agents, thereby significantly extending its service life.
The rail clips supplied by GNEE RAIL strictly adhere to these materials science and engineering standards. We select premium spring steel that complies with international specifications and implement precise heat treatment and surface treatment processes, ensuring every product can perform reliably long-term under heavy loads, impact, and corrosive conditions.
