How to maintain rail clips in daily use?
Rail clip, or called elastic rail clip, is used to fasten steel rails to the underlying tie plate. Through bending and distortion, rail clip can put pressure on the rail, which prevents longitudinal movement of the rail, either from changes in temperature or through vibration. In general, rail clips are made of forged spring steel produced by hot forging process. Because of the most uniform microstructure, the forged rail clips are considered to be better than other metal forming process.Daily maintenance of rail clips is crucial for ensuring the long-term stable operation of 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 | |||
Maintenance should begin with establishing a regular inspection regime, recommending a comprehensive check of the fastening system every three to six months.
During inspections, focus on whether the clips show visible cracks, deformation, or signs of corrosion, particularly at the bending points of the spring strip and the stress concentration areas in contact with bolts. Simultaneously, check the close contact between the clip and the rail foot/baseplate, as any gap can lead to uneven distribution of clamping force. In corrosive environments like coastal or industrial areas, the inspection interval should be shortened to 1-2 months.
Cleaning is an important measure for maintaining clip performance. Regularly remove accumulated mud, oil stains, and metal debris around the clips, as these impurities can accelerate wear and impair their elastic function. Use compressed air for blowing or neutral detergents with soft brushes for cleaning, avoiding strong acids or alkalis that could damage the galvanized layer. For clips with slight rust, promptly remove the rust with a wire brush and apply anti-rust oil after drying. In areas using de-icing salt or near chemical plants, specialized cleaning of the clips every quarter is recommended.
Torque checking and adjustment are core to maintaining clamping force. Use calibrated torque wrenches to periodically spot-check the tightness of the clips, verifying if the torque value remains within the design range. If torque loss exceeds 15% of the initial value, perform a unified readjustment following the specified sequence and torque requirements. For points experiencing repeated loosening, investigate systemic issues like sleeper settlement or baseplate wear. Establish a complete maintenance record system, detailing the time, location, issues found, and actions taken for each inspection. This helps analyze the performance trends of the clips and identify potential risks in a timely manner.
GNEE RAIL offers different kinds of railway fasteners to meet client's requirements, such as Elastic Rail Clip and Clamp, Rail Screw Spike, Plastic Dowel, High Tensile Track Bolt with Nut, Rail Base(Tie) Plate, Rail Fish Plate, Railway Shoulder(Insert), Fish Bolt, Railroad Rubber and EVA Pad, etc. Samples and drawings provided by customer, we will manufacture qualified products accordingly.
