How do rail elastic clips function to fasten?
The fastening function of rail elastic clips is achieved through the unique properties of their spring steel material and precise structural design. When the clip is installed into its working position, its distinctive omega (ω) or e-shaped structure undergoes pre-deformation, utilizing the material's inherent resilience to generate continuous pressure on the rail foot.
This elastic pressure acts vertically on the bottom of the rail, while simultaneously creating a horizontal component through the interaction between the clip's legs and the sleeper shoulder, thereby forming a three-dimensional restraint system that securely locks the rail onto the sleeper rail seat.
The fastening process is essentially a dynamic balance of energy storage and release. During installation, pressure is applied to the center of the spring strip using specialized tools, causing elastic deformation before it snaps rapidly into the designated position. The compressed spring strip then acts like a tightened spring, converting the stored elastic potential energy into a constant clamping force on the rail. This design gives the clip self-adjusting capability-when wear occurs on the rail pad or foundation settlement happens, the spring strip can compensate for dimensional changes through slight deformation, consistently maintaining stable contact pressure.
Under dynamic loads, elastic clips demonstrate an intelligent response characteristic. When a train passes, the clip absorbs impact energy through controlled elastic deformation and then uses the stored elastic energy to return the rail to its initial position. This working mechanism, which combines flexibility and rigidity, avoids stress concentration caused by rigid fastening while preventing excessive displacement.
The various elastic clips produced by GNEE RAIL, through optimized material heat treatment processes and structural parameters, ensure the ideal clamping force is consistently maintained within the 8-12 kN range even in long-term vibrating environments, providing safe and reliable fastening protection for the track system.
Major Rail Clip Types
| Name | Rail clip | |||
| Type | E clip (e1809, e2006,e2007,e2009,etc) | |||
| Skl clip (skl1,skl3,skl12,skl14) | ||||
| Or the type by customers' drawings | ||||
| 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 |
| Hardness | For e clip: 44-48HRC | |||
| For skl clip: 42-47HRC | ||||
| Fatigue life | for Dia.18 is 3 millions cycles without breaking | |||
| for Dia.20 is 5 millions cycles without breaking | ||||
| Surface | plain (oiled), Oxide black, color painting, HDG, Zinc Plating... | |||
| Standard refers | DIN17221, BS970, GB/T1222 | |||
