Rail clips are small but essential components used in railway systems to ensure the stability and safety of the rails. Essentially, rail clips are designed to hold the rails in place and prevent them from moving or shifting over time. They are attached to the baseplate of the rail and use a clamping mechanism to firmly grip the rail, keeping it secure and stable.
Materials of Rail Elastic Clips
Rail clips are an essential component in railway systems. The materials used in making rail clips play a significant role in their performance and durability. The three primary materials used in making rail clips are steel, cast iron, and alloys.
Steel is the most commonly used material in making rail clips. It has excellent strength, durability, and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for use in railway systems. Steel rail clips are also easy to install and maintain, which makes them a popular choice among railway operators.
| 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 |
Cast iron rail clips are also commonly used in railway systems. They are known for their durability and resistance to wear and tear. However, cast iron rail clips are heavier than steel rail clips and can be more challenging to install and maintain.
In recent years, rail clip manufacturers have started to explore the use of alloys in making rail clips. Alloys are known for their excellent strength, ductility, and resistance to wear and tear. Some of the alloys used in making rail clips include manganese, nickel, and chromium. Rail clips made from alloys are lightweight, durable, and resistant to corrosion, making them ideal for use in modern railway systems.
Types of Rail Clips
Rail clips come in a variety of types, each with its own unique features and advantages. Different rail clips are used for different types of railway systems, depending on factors such as rail weight and size, traffic volume, and track curvature. Some of the most common types of rail clips include:
- Elastic rail clips are widely used in many railway systems due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. They are typically made of high-grade steel and have a low profile, making them ideal for use in track designs with limited space.
- SKL tension clamps are known for their high clamping force and excellent resistance to wear and tear. They are designed to be self-locking, making them easy to install and requiring minimal maintenance.
| SKL Rail clip specification | |
| Name | SKL tension clamp |
| Material | 60Si2MnA 60Si2CrA 55Si2Mn 38Si7 |
| Hardness | 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 or according to customer requirement |
| Standard | DIN17221, BS970, GB/T1222 |
- KPO rail clamps are used in railway systems with heavy rail traffic and high-speed trains. They are designed to withstand the high stresses and strains that come with heavy use, making them a popular choice for busy rail networks.
- Nabla clips are designed for use on rails with larger foot sizes and are often used in electrified railway systems. They provide excellent electrical insulation and have a low profile, making them easy to install and maintain.
| Nabla Rail clip specification | |
| Name | Nabla rail clip |
| Material | 60Si2MnA |
| Hardness | Hrc41-48 |
| Sizes | As your drawing |
| Surface | plain (oiled), Oxide black, color painting or according to customer requirement |
| Standard | DIN17221, BS970, GB/T1222 |
Quality Control of Finished Elastic Rail Clips
GNEE RAIL has strict test and completely authentication at every single step of manufacturing rail clips and a full set of quality control system, from raw material purchasing to the finished rail clip packing. We have a professional inspection team to check about each process of the production line.
Inspection Machines for Finished Rail Clips:
- Brinell Hardness Tester
- Carbons and Sulfur Analyzer
- Rockwell Hardness Machine to test metallic materials
- Automatic Impact Testing Machine
- Metallographic Microscopes
- Automatic High-Speed Analyzer
- Fatigue Testing Machine
- Metallographic Specimen Polishing Machine
- Metallographic Specimen Pointing Machine
GNEE RAIL offer an extensive range of rail clips with optimum quality, these rail clips are designed with high precision and made up of premium grade spring steel. GNEE has been the largest and most competitive production base of rail clip in China after more than 18 years' rail clip producing experience, and have qualification to tender nationally large and medium scaled rail projects. What's more, our rail clip can be customized according to clients' requirements.
