A rail clip is a high-strength spring component designed to restrain rail displacement and maintain precise alignment by applying downward and inward force on the rail foot. Its role is to stabilize the track while allowing elastic recovery after loading. GNEE RAIL supplies rail clips for railway and industrial tracks, including SKL series, Nabla clips, Fast Clip systems, E-clips, and crane rail clips, suitable for GB, UIC, DIN536, JIS, AS1085, BS11, and AREMA/ASCE rail standards, along with technical installation guidance.
| Series | Type | Hardness | Material | Fatigue life | Surface | Standard |
| E rail clip | E1,E2,E3 | 44-48HRC | 60Si2MnA: C:0.56-0.64,Mn:0.60-0.90, Si:1.60-2.00,Cr:≤0.35, P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03 60Si2CrA: 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 55Si2Mn: C:0.52-0.60,Mn:0.60-0.90, Si:1.50-2.00,Cr:≤0.35 P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03 38Si7:C:0.35-0.42,Mn:0.50-0.80, Si:1.50-1.80, P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03 | For Dia.18 is 3 million cycles without breaking. For Dia.20 is 5 million cycles without breaking. | plain (oiled), Oxide black, color painting or according to customer requirement. | DIN17221, BS970, GB/T1222 |
| E1609 | ||||||
| E1809 | ||||||
| E1817 | ||||||
| E2001 | ||||||
| E2006 | ||||||
| E2009 | ||||||
| E2055 | ||||||
| E2056 | ||||||
| Vossloh clip&Forged rail clip | SKL1 | 42-47HRC | ||||
| PR rail clip | PR309 | 44-48HRC | ||||
| PR401 | ||||||
| PR601 | ||||||
| PR85 | ||||||
| Customized production of rail clips are available according to your drawings or samples! | ||||||
Can rail clips be reused after removal?
Rail clips can sometimes be reused after removal, but only if they fully meet mechanical and dimensional acceptance criteria. In most railway maintenance standards, reuse is not the default assumption-each removed clip must be individually inspected and tested, because the safety function of the clip depends on its remaining elastic capacity (toe load) and fatigue life.
From an engineering perspective, reuse depends on several critical factors:
- First, elastic performance (toe load retention) must be verified. Rail clips work as springs, and once a clip has experienced plastic deformation, stress relaxation, or micro-cracking, it may no longer provide the designed clamping force even if it looks normal. In practice, reused clips should meet the original toe load and deflection requirements specified for that clip type. If toe load testing is not available on site, conservative maintenance policies usually require replacement rather than reuse.
- Second, visual and dimensional condition must be acceptable. Clips must be free from visible cracks, excessive corrosion, permanent bending, flattened contact points, or worn bearing surfaces where the clip contacts the rail or shoulder. Even small surface defects can become fatigue crack initiation points under millions of load cycles.
- Third, service environment and loading history matter. Clips removed from high-speed, heavy-haul, tight-radius curves, turnouts, or crane rails are much less suitable for reuse because they experience higher cyclic stress and greater lateral forces. In these locations, reuse is generally not recommended, even if the clip appears intact.
- Fourth, coating condition should be considered. Protective coatings such as HDG, Dacromet, or oxide layers help prevent corrosion. If the coating is damaged during removal or already degraded, corrosion will accelerate, significantly reducing fatigue life after reinstallation.
How are railroad clips manufactured?
Railroad clips (or elastic rail clips) are primarily manufactured from high-grade spring steel (such as 60Si2Mn) through a process of hot forging, shaping, and precise heat treatment to ensure durability and elasticity. The process involves cutting steel bars, heating them to 950°C–1000°C, shaping via hydraulic presses, quenching in oil, and tempering to achieve proper hardness and toughness.
Key Manufacturing Steps
- Raw Material Preparation: High-quality spring steel bars are inspected and cut (sheared) to the precise required length.
- Heating: The sheared bars are heated in a furnace to a temperature of 950°C–1000°C to make the metal malleable for forging.
- Forming (Hot Forging): The heated bars are transferred to a power press where they are bent and formed into their final shape using specifically designed dies and fixtures.
- Hardening (Quenching): Immediately after forming, the clips are transferred to a quenching oil tank to cool rapidly and achieve the necessary, high strength.
- Tempering: To improve toughness and remove brittleness, the quenched clips are tempered at roughly 350°C–500°C.
- Final Treatment & Inspection: The clips are inspected for dimensional accuracy and hardness (often 40-48 HRC), oiled for corrosion protection, and packed.
GNEE RAIL as the largest rail clip and clamp production base in China, which has been qualified to tender medium and large scaled railway projects. In addition, GNEE RAIL is approved elastic rail clip manufacturer by China's Railway Ministry and has been ISO9001-2008 certified. Our rail clip product is ideal for rail track assembly for advantages of easy fitment while track laying; economical maintenance; long durability and lifespan; fast replacement.
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