A rail fish plate is a structural joint bar that prevents rail end separation and misalignment by clamping the rail web area into a unified load path, essential for jointed railway operation. GNEE RAIL supplies fish plates for GB light rail and heavy rail, UIC50–UIC60, DIN536 crane rails, QU crane rails, JIS standards, AS1085 rails, BS11 sections, and AREMA/ASCE rails.
How heavy is a fish plate?
Railway fish plates (joint bars) typically weigh between 5 kg and over 29 kg per plate, depending on the rail size, type (light or heavy), and number of bolt holes. Common, heavy-duty plates (e.g., UIC60 or 50kg/60kg rails) generally weigh between 15 kg and 25 kg each.
Typical Weight Breakdown:
- Light Rail (8–30kg): Approx. 3 kg to 5.5 kg.
- Heavy Rail (50–60kg+): Generally 15 kg to 25 kg per plate, with some exceeding 28 kg.
| 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 |
- 4-Hole Plates: Generally lighter, used for light rails (e.g., ~6.5 kg for BS80A).
- 6-Hole Plates: Heavier, used for heavy duty (e.g., ~19.94 kg for 6-hole UIC54).
Key Factors Affecting Weight:
- Dimensions: Longer, thicker plates used for high-speed or heavy-haul lines weigh more.
- Holes: 6-hole plates are generally heavier than 4-hole versions.
- Material: High-strength steel (e.g., M54, high carbon steel) is standard.
| 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) |
Common, specific weights include UIC60 (4-hole, 18.1 kg), UIC54 (6-hole, 19.94 kg), and AREMA 115RE (17.04 kg–25.56 kg).
How to choose the right type of rail fish plate?
Choosing the right rail fish plate (joint bar) requires matching the plate profile to the specific rail section (e.g., 60kg, UIC60, 115RE), determining necessary hole configuration (4 or 6 holes), and selecting materials based on traffic load and environment. For heavy-haul routes, choose high-strength steel; in electrified zones, use insulated, and for joining different rail sizes, use compromise joints.
Key Selection Factors:
Rail Profile Compatibility: The fish plate must exactly match the rail profile/size to ensure proper fit, load distribution, and reduce premature wear.
Load and Traffic Requirements:
- Heavy-Haul Freight: Requires durable, high-strength forged or rolled steel fish plates, often with 6 holes for increased stability.
- Light Traffic/Mining: Standard carbon steel or lighter 4-hole plates may be sufficient.
- Environment & Corrosion Resistance: In coastal or highly corrosive areas, opt for stainless steel or treated, corrosion-resistant fish plates.
- Signaling and Electrification: Use insulated fish plates (e.g., fiberglass or composite materials) to prevent electrical conductivity between rail sections in electrified zones.
Joint Type:
- Standard Fish Plate: For joining two identical rails.
- Compromise Joint: Specially designed with an offset to join rails of different heights or sizes.
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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