A rail fish plate is a joint reinforcement component that controls rail-end movement by holding adjacent rails in correct relative position under dynamic loading and thermal expansion. GNEE RAIL supplies fish plates matched to GB 8–60 kg/m rails, UIC50–UIC60, BS11 profiles, JIS rails, AS1085 sections, AREMA/ASCE standards, and crane rails under DIN536 and QU systems, supported by installation parameter recommendations.
| 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 |
What is the function of a track rail joint?
A track rail joint (or fishplate) connects two steel rail ends, serving as a critical component to maintain alignment, stability, and continuity in railway tracks. It ensures structural integrity, manages thermal expansion/contraction, and supports wheel loads while enabling a smooth, safe ride, reducing the impact of trains on the track.
Key Functions of a Track Rail Joint:
- Structural Continuity: Connects two rail sections to create a continuous, smooth surface for train movement.
- Alignment Maintenance: Holds rail ends firmly in the correct horizontal and vertical position to maintain the proper gauge distance.
- Expansion/Contraction Management: Allows rails to expand and contract freely with temperature changes, preventing track buckling.
- Impact Reduction: Minimizes the impact force of wheels at the joints, protecting the track from damage and reducing wear.
- Electrical Conductivity: Often used in signaling systems, certain joints ensure electrical continuity to detect train positions.
How Does Rail Joint Bar Failure Happen?
Rail joint bar failures typically result from high-cycle fatigue caused by extreme, repetitive dynamic loads from train wheels, compounded by, or leading to, track structure degradation like loose bolts, worn rail ends (batter), and poor ballast support. These stresses often cause cracks to originate at the center bolt holes or along the rail web/base junction, exacerbated by environmental factors and thermal contraction.
Key Causes and Mechanics of Failure:
- High-Cycle Fatigue: The primary failure mode, driven by constant bending and impact stress, is often indicated by fatigue striations on fractured surfaces.
- Dynamic Loading and Impact: When wheels pass over the gap between rails, the vertical movement causes severe impact forces that exceed the yield strength of the material, especially as the joint degrades.
- Poor Track Maintenance: Loose, worn, or missing bolts and degraded ballast allow the joint to deflect further, magnifying the stress on the bars.
- Rail End Batter: As rail ends deteriorate due to impact, they create a step that increases dynamic impact, accelerating joint degradation.
- Stress Concentration: The highest stress occurs at the midpoint, particularly at the bolt holes, leading to cracks that propagate outwards.
- Thermal and Tensile Stress: Low temperatures, which cause rails to contract and pull apart, put joints under intense tension, enhancing the likelihood of breakage.
- Manufacturing Defects/Residual Stresses: Residual stresses from the manufacturing process can contribute to crack initiation.
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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