Fish plate definition and uses
A rail fish plate is a joint continuity device that compensates for the absence of welding by enabling stress transfer across rail gaps, ensuring that jointed track remains structurally stable under traffic loads. GNEE RAIL manufactures fish plates compatible with GB, UIC, DIN536, QU, JIS, AS1085, BS11, and AREMA/ASCE rail profiles, supported by material certification services.
| Standard | Type | Length/Diameter | Weight /Material | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AREMA 2007 | 115RE | 4 hole-24" | 17.04Kg | 45# chemical |
| 115RE | 6 hole-36" | 25.56Kg | composition(%): | |
| 132-136RE | 4 hole-24" | 17.75Kg | C: 0.42-0.50 | |
| 132-136RE | 6 hole-36" | 26.63Kg | Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |
| UIC864 | UIC60 | 4 hole-630/Φ26 | 18.07Kg | Si: 0.17-0.37 |
| UIC60 | 4 hole-600/Φ28 | 17.47Kg | Cr: ≤0.25 | |
| UIC60 | 4 hole-630/Φ25 | 18.1Kg | P: ≤0.035 | |
| UIC54 | 4 hole | 14.34Kg | S: ≤0.035 | |
| UIC54 | 6 hole-800 | 19.94Kg | ||
| BS 47-1 | BS75R | 4 hole | 6.56Kg | |
| BS60A | 4 hole | 5.61Kg | ||
| BS80A | 4 hole | 6.5Kg | ||
| BS90A | 685.8/Φ26 | 13.23Kg | 50# chemical | |
| BS90A | 792.9/Φ26.2 | 15.34Kg | composition(%): | |
| BS100A | 4 hole | C: 0.62-0.70 | ||
| 90/91LB | 4 hole | 18.08Kg | Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |
| 90/91LB | 6 hole | 19.9Kg | Si: 0.17-0.37 | |
| AS | 50kg | 4 hole | 14.3Kg | Cr: ≤0.25 |
| 50kg | 6 hole | 19.5Kg | P: ≤0.035 | |
| S49 | 4 hole | 9.71Kg | S: ≤0.035 |
Primary Uses and Function
- Rail Connectivity: Joins two railway tracks to form a continuous line.
- Structural Integrity: Provides strength and stiffness to the joint, preventing vertical or horizontal misalignment.
- Load Transfer: Transfers the load of passing wheels from one rail to the next.
- Expansion/Contraction Management: Enables the rails to expand and contract with temperature changes without damaging the track.
- Safety: Ensures smooth, safe passage for trains.
- Support: In formwork or general construction, they are used to secure and seal joints between two structural elements.
Specifications of Various Standards of Railway Fish Plate
GB Standard Railway Fish Plate
| Specification | Standard | Material |
| 43KG | TB/T 2345-2008 | B7 |
| 50KG | ||
| 60KG | ||
| 75KG |
BS Standard Railway Fish Plate
| Specification | Standard | Material |
| BS75R | BS 47-1 | EUROPEAN GRADE 700 |
| BS80A | ||
| BS90A | ||
| BS100A | ||
| BS113A |
JIS E Standard Railway Fish Plate
| Specification | Standard | Material |
| 37A | JIS E1102-2001 | SS490 S20C |
| 50N | ||
| CR73 | ||
| CR100 | ||
| BS113A |
AREMA Standard Railway Fish Plate
| T-rail | Standard | Material | Aperture |
| 100LB.ASCE | AREMA2007 | AREMA GRADE STEEL GRADE55# | 1.1875" |
| 115RE | 1.1875" | ||
| 132RE | 1.3125" | ||
| 136RE | 1.3125" |
Heavy Railway Fish Plate
| Heavy Rail | Standard | Material | Aperture |
| 104LB.CR |
AREMA 2007 |
AREMA GRADE STEEL GRADE55# |
1.0625" |
| 105LB.CR | 1.3125" | ||
| 135LB.CR | 1.1875" | ||
| 171LB.CR | 1.1875" | ||
| 175LB.CR | 1.1875" |
Standard Length: 914.4m, drilling holes and punching holes, 4holes and 6holes
UIC Standard Railway Fish Plate
| UIC Standard Railway Fish Plate | Applicative Steel Rail | ||||||||
| Specification | Piece Weight KG/m | Size(mm) | Material | Steel Rail Specification | Steel Rail Piece Weight KG/m | Standard | |||
| a | b | c | x | ||||||
| y | |||||||||
| U79 | 23.92 | 108.53 | 27 | 41 | 2.75 | Grade 700 | UIC54 | 54.53 | UIC |
| 2.75 | |||||||||
| U85 | 29.68 | 120.92 | 24 | 45 | 2.75 | Grade 700 | UIC60 | 60.34 | UIC |
| 2.75 | |||||||||
Railway Fish Plate Standard: UIC864-4 Standard, UIC864-8 Standard
DIN Standard Railway Fish Plate
| DIN Standard Railway Fish Plate | Applicative Steel Rail | ||||||||
| Specification | Piece Weitht KG/m | Size | Material | Steel Rail Specification | Steel Rail Piece Weight Kg/m | Standard | |||
| a | b | c | x | ||||||
| y | |||||||||
| FI30 | 9.6 | 70.1 | 15.9 | 20.6 | 4.33 | Grade 700 | S30 | 30.03 | DIN5901 |
| 4.33 | |||||||||
| FI133 | 12.7 | 90.5 | 18 | 20 | 4 | Grade 700 | S33 | 33.47 | DIN5901 |
| 4 | |||||||||
| FI41 | 15.7 | 94 | 20 | 31 | 3 | Grade 700 | S41 | 41.38 | DIN5951 |
| FI49 | 3 | S49 | 49.43 | ||||||
Railway Fish Plate Standard: DIN5902
What factors should be considered when purchasing a rail fish plate?
When purchasing rail fish plates, key factors to consider include ensuring the plate's dimensions and profile precisely match the rail type, selecting materials (steel, iron) suitable for the load requirements, considering environmental resistance (coatings for corrosion), confirming compliance with safety standards (AREMA, EN), and ensuring compatibility with necessary fastenings.
Key Factors for Selection:
- Rail Profile and Dimensions: The fish plate must fit the specific rail section exactly to ensure a secure fit and prevent wear.
- Material Quality & Strength: Choose materials based on load. High-strength alloy or steel is required for heavy-duty freight, while lighter, standard steel may suit, light rail, or passenger tracks.
| Material Type | Typical Grade / Designation | Chemical Composition (wt%) | Notes / Equivalent Standards |
| Carbon Structural Steel | Q235 (GB/T 700) | C: ≤0.22 | Common mild steel for general joint bars. Similar to ASTM A36, S235JR. |
| Si: ≤0.35 | |||
| Mn: 0.30-0.65 | |||
| P: ≤0.045 | |||
| S: ≤0.045 | |||
| Carbon Structural Steel | Q255 (GB/T 700) | C: 0.18-0.28 | Slightly higher strength than Q235. |
| Si: ≤0.35 | |||
| Mn: 0.40-0.70 | |||
| P: ≤0.045 | |||
| S: ≤0.045 | |||
| Medium Carbon Steel | 50Mn / 50BA (GOST 10779) | C: 0.47-0.55 | Classic high-strength fish plate steel. Widely used for mainline joints. |
| Si: 0.17-0.37 | |||
| Mn: 0.80-1.20 | |||
| P: ≤0.040 | |||
| S: ≤0.045 | |||
| Medium Carbon Steel | 55# (GB/T 699) | C: 0.52-0.60 | Standard medium carbon steel for demanding applications. Similar to AISI 1055. |
| Si: 0.17-0.37 | |||
| Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |||
| P: ≤0.035 | |||
| S: ≤0.035 | |||
| Alloy Steel | 42CrMo (GB/T 3077) | C: 0.38-0.45 | High-strength, high-toughness alloy for severe service. Similar to AISI 4140/4142. |
| Si: 0.17-0.37 | |||
| Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |||
| Cr: 0.90-1.20 | |||
| Mo: 0.15-0.25 | |||
| P: ≤0.035 | |||
| S: ≤0.035 | |||
| Spheroidal Graphite Cast Iron | QT450-10 (GB/T 1348) | C: 3.60-3.90 | Used in some traditional/joint kits for its castability and damping properties. Similar to EN-GJS-450-10. |
| Si: 2.00-3.00 | |||
| Mn: ≤0.50 | |||
| P: ≤0.07 | |||
| S: ≤0.015 | |||
| Mg: 0.03-0.06 (Nodulizer) | |||
| Insulating Composite Material | Epoxy Fiberglass / FRP | Base: Epoxy Resin | No metallic elements. Provides electrical insulation (Resistivity >10¹² Ω·cm), corrosion resistance. |
| Reinforcement: E-Glass Fiber (>60%) | |||
| Additives: Hardener, fillers (e.g., SiO₂) |
- Environmental Factors: In corrosive environments (coastal/salty), choose corrosion-resistant coatings or stainless steel materials.
- Load Requirements: High-speed lines and heavy-freight lines require higher load capacity, making the strength of the fish plate critical to avoid breakage.
- Bolt Hole Alignment and Spacing: Precise drilling (often via CNC) is essential for proper bolt hole alignment to ensure efficient load distribution and clamping force.
- Type of Fish Plate: Determine if a standard (flat-bottom), joggled (for welded rails), or combination (for joining different rail sizes) fish plate is required.
| Joint Type | Key Specification / Description |
| Standard Rail Joint (Fish Plate) | - Profile: Matches the rail section (e.g., UIC 60, 136RE). |
| - Length: Typically 600mm or 800mm per side. | |
| - Holes: 4 or 6 bolt holes per bar. | |
| Insulated Rail Joint (IRJ) | - Material: Steel core with composite insulating end-posts/plates, or full epoxy composite. |
| - Electrical Resistance: >10⁸ Ω. | |
| Compromise Rail Joint | - Design: Connects two different rail profiles (e.g., UIC 54 to UIC 60). |
| - Profile: Each side is machined to match its respective rail section. | |
| Joggled Rail Joint | - Feature: Has a depressed (joggled) section to allow continuous rail head surface for smoother wheel passage. |
| Bridge Rail Joint | - Design: Often reinforced (thicker web/longer length) for high-stress locations like bridge approaches. |
| Glued Insulated Joint | - Construction: Steel bars bonded to composite insulation using high-strength adhesive for improved durability. |
| Welded Rail Joint (for CWR) | - Type: Flash-butt or thermite weld. |
| - Specification: Weld must meet mechanical properties equal to or greater than the parent rail. | |
| Expansion Joint (for BRE) | - Feature: Allows controlled thermal expansion in long rails on bridges or in extreme temperature zones. |
- Insulation Requirements: For electrified railways, insulated fish plates must be used to prevent electrical interference.
Founded in 2008, GNEE RAIL is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of railway components, specializing in high-quality rail fish plates (joint bars/splice bars) with strong production capacity and global service capabilities.
Our rail fish plate portfolio is comprehensive and compliant with international standards including UIC, AREMA, BS, DIN, and GB, covering light rail (8kg-30kg), heavy rail (38kg-75kg), and crane rail (QU70-QU120) systems. We offer diverse types such as insulated joint bars, bulged fish plates, and compromise rail joints,with precise specifications (4-hole/6-hole, 24-inch/36-inch), ensuring excellent mechanical performance.We uphold strict quality control supported by ISO 9001:2015 certification, an in-house inspection center, and third-party audits by SGS and BV. Our one-stop service includes customization, production, packaging, and after-sales support, tailored to clients' project needs.
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