A rail fish plate is a steel jointing bar that restores effective sectional strength at rail joints by clamping the rail webs together, allowing loads to be distributed across both rails. GNEE RAIL produces fish plates for GB light and heavy rails, UIC50/54/60, DIN536 A55–A120, QU70–QU120 crane rails, JIS rail profiles, AS1085 rails, BS11 sections, and AREMA/ASCE standards, supplying complete joint assemblies.
| Fishplate for UIC Standard Steel Rail | |||
| Steel Rail Type | Steel Rail Weight (KG/M) | Fishplate Standard | Fishplate Material |
| UIC54 | 54.43 | UIC | 45#,55# |
| UIC60 | 60.34 | ||
| Fishplate for BS Standard Steel Rail | |||
| BS50'O' | 24.833 | BS 47-1 | 55#,45# European Grade 700 |
| BS60A | 30.618 | ||
| BS75R | 37.041 | ||
| BS80A | 39.761 | ||
| BS90A | 45.099 | ||
| BS100A | 50.182 | ||
| BS113A | 56.398 | ||
| Joint Bar for AREMA 2007 Standard Steel Rail | |||
| 100RE(TR50) | 50.35 | AREMA 2007 | 45#,55#,AREMA Grade Steel |
| 115RE | 56.9 | ||
| 115-119RE | |||
| 132RE | 65.31 | ||
| 133RE | 66.1 | ||
| 136RE | 67.41 | ||
| 132-136RE | |||
| Fishplate For Chinese Standard Steel Rail | |||
| GB15KG | 15.2 | YB226-63 | Q235,45# |
| GB18KG | 18.06 | YB225-63 | |
| GB22KG | 22.3 | YB14-63 | |
| GB24KG | 24.46 | ||
| GB30KG | 30.1 | YB351-63 | |
| GB38KG | 38.733 | TB/T 2345-2008 | 45#,55# |
| GB43KG | 44.653 | ||
| GB50KG | 51.514 | ||
| Rail Type | Standard Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Thickness (mm) | Hole Diameter (mm) | Hole Spacing (mm) | Bolt Size | Material Options | Surface Treatment |
| QU70 Crane Rail Fishplate | 760 | 70 | 20 | 24 | 90/105 | M24 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU80 Crane Rail Fishplate | 820 | 75 | 20 | 24 | 100/120 | M24 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU100 Crane Rail Fishplate | 950 | 80 | 22 | 26 | 105/125 | M27 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
| QU120 Crane Rail Fishplate | 1050 | 85 | 26 | 26 | 110/130 | M27 | Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | Oiled / Galvanized / Painted |
How Do Rail Joint Bar Work in Railway Tracks?
Rail joint bars (or fishplates) are heavy-duty steel plates bolted in pairs to the sides of rail ends, creating structural continuity between rail sections. They maintain vertical/lateral alignment, distribute wheel loads across the gap to prevent damage, and allow for thermal expansion/contraction while ensuring safe, stable passage.
Key Aspects of Rail Joint Bar Functionality:
- Structural Connection: Joint bars act as a bridge between two rail ends, bolted securely through the web of the rail to create a continuous beam.
- Load Distribution: By spanning the gap between rails, they transfer vertical, lateral, and longitudinal forces from one rail to the next, reducing impact on the rail joint.
- Alignment Maintenance: They ensure the two rails remain properly aligned, preventing vertical dips or horizontal misalignments that could lead to derailment.
- Thermal Expansion Management: Joint bars allow for a small, engineered gap between rail ends, enabling the metal to expand in hot weather and contract in cold weather without causing the track to buckle.
- Maintenance & Repair: They facilitate easier removal and replacement of individual rail sections during track maintenance.
- Components: A complete rail joint assembly typically consists of the bars (fishplates) and specialized fish bolts that secure them to the rails.
These components are crucial for maintaining the integrity of jointed track systems, ensuring they remain safe and functional.
What is the material of the railroad joint?
Railroad joints, or fishplates, are primarily manufactured from high-strength steel or microalloyed steel (such as 50#, 50Mn, or U71Mn grades) to ensure durability, strength, and structural integrity. For insulated joints, materials like high-performance fiberglass, polyurethane, and thermosetting composites are used to provide electrical insulation and corrosion resistance.
Key Materials and Properties:
- Standard Steel Joints: Typically made from hot-rolled steel, designed for high tensile strength and to withstand heavy loads, often heat-treated to improve wear resistance.
- Insulated/Composite Joints: Composed of reinforced fiberglass or thermosetting materials, allowing them to be non-conductive and non-magnetic for signaling, as well as resistant to rust and UV damage.
- Composition: They are usually made of steel grades like 50# or U71Mn, which are common in heavy rail, and can be designed for light or heavy rail applications.
| Standard | Grade | Carbon (C) % | Manganese (Mn) % | Silicon (Si) % | Sulfur (S) % | Phosphorus (P) % |
| UIC / BS | 40# | 0.27 – 0.84* | ≤ 0.94* | ~0.38* | ≤ 0.058 | ≤ 0.058 |
| DIN | Q235 | 0.14 – 0.22 | 0.30 – 0.65 | ≤ 0.30 | ≤ 0.050 | ≤ 0.045 |
| DIN | Q295 | 0.52 – 0.60 | 0.50 – 0.80 | 0.17 – 0.37 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 |
| Chinese TB | 55# | 0.52 – 0.60 | 0.50 – 0.80 | 0.17 – 0.37 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 |
Commonly known as fishplates, these components are critical for connecting rail segments, especially in areas with significant temperature changes or on electrified tracks, ensuring safe train operation.
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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