How to properly install a rail clip?
To install a rail clip, prepare the rail and base, position the clip to correctly contact the rail's bottom flange, and then tighten the bolts progressively until the clip is fully compressed and secure. After initial tightening, tap the clip to ensure proper seating and then tighten to the final torque specification.
Step 1: Preparation
- Clean the rail and the supporting surface to remove dirt, grease, and rust.
- Position the steel rail and any required rubber pads onto the supporting base.
- Place the rail clip base over the bolts, making sure the clip's rubber "nose" is on the bottom flange of the rail.
Step 2: Initial tightening
- Insert the bolts and nuts. Place any special washers onto the bolts to distribute pressure evenly.
- Run the nuts down until they contact the washers.
- Tighten the nuts using a wrench, applying even pressure and working alternately between the nuts to maintain an even fit.
- Tighten only until the rubber is compressed and the clip's bottom surface is in full contact with the rail.
Step 3: Final tightening and verification
- Use a hammer to lightly tap the clip toward the rail to ensure it is fully seated and any slack is removed.
- Tighten the nuts to the final torque specified by the manufacturer using a calibrated torque wrench. Do not overtighten.
- Periodically inspect the clips for any signs of wear, damage, or corrosion and re-tighten as needed.
Varieties of rail clips
Rail clip, or elastic rail clip, is used to secure the rail to the underlying tie plate. By bending and deforming, the rail clamps can exert pressure on the rails to prevent longitudinal movement of the rail due to temperature changes and vibrations. Usually, the track clip is made of spring steel processed by hot forging method. With the most uniform microstructure, forged rail clips are considered better than other metal forming processes.
| 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 | |||
GNEE RAIL supplies elastic rail clips with high precision, high tensile strength and corrosion resistance, which are used widely in railway projects all over the world.Our rail clip product is ideal for rail track assembly for advantages of easy fitment while track laying; economical maintenance; long durability and lifespan; fast replacement.
