A rail fish plate is a mechanical connector that allows jointed rails to behave as a continuous beam under load by redistributing stresses across bolted connections rather than concentrating them at rail ends. GNEE RAIL manufactures fish plates suitable for GB 8–60 kg/m rails, UIC50–UIC60, DIN536 A-series, QU crane rails, JIS standards, AS1085 rails, BS11 profiles, and AREMA/ASCE sections.
Specifications of Various Standards of Railway Fish Plate
UIC standard railway fish plate
| Standard | Material | Size(kg) | Tensile strength Rm | Yield strength | Elongation A | Reduction of Area Z | Brinell Hardness | Cold Bend d=3a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UIC864-4& UIC864-8 | Chinese steel grade 40# | U79–UIC54, U85–UIC60 | 550-650Mpa | N/A | ≥18% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
DIN standard railway fish plate
| Standard | Material | Size(kg) | Tensile strength Rm | Yield strength | Elongation A | Reduction of Area Z | Brinell Hardness | Cold Bend d=3a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIN5902-1995 | Chinese steel grade Q235/Chinese steel grade Q295 | S30 for FL30 rail, S33 for FL33 rail, S41 for FL41 rail, S49 for FL49 rail, FL10, FL14, FL18, FL20, FL41-54 | ≥ 375 Mpa | ≥ 235 Mpa | ≥ 21% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Chinese standard railway fish plate
| Standard | Material | Size(kg) | Tensile strength Rm | Yield strength | Elongation A | Reduction of Area Z | Brinell Hardness | Cold Bend d=3a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TB/T2345-2008 | Chinese steel grade 55# | 43, 52, 60, 75 | ≥ 785Mpa | ≥ 520Mpa | ≥ 9% | ≥ 20% | HBW 227-388 | 30 degree, no crack |
BS standard railway fish plate
| Standard | Material | Size(kg) | Tensile strength Rm | Yield strength | Elongation A | Reduction of Area Z | Brinell Hardness | Cold Bend d=3a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BS47-1 | Chinese steel grade 40# | BS75R, BS80A, BS90A, BS100A, BS113A | 550-650Mpa | N/A | ≥ 18% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
South American standard railway fish plate
| Standard | Material | Size(kg) | Tensile strength Rm | Yield strength | Elongation A | Reduction of Area Z | Brinell Hardness | Cold Bend d=3a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| According to Customer's requirements | Chinese steel grade 50# or customized | TJ57, TJ ASCE90, TJ UIC60(Brazilian) 75LBS A.S.C.E, 75LBS BSS, 80LBS A.S.C.E, TJ BS80A(Peruvian) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
African standard railway fish plate
| Standard | Material | Size(kg) | Tensile strength Rm | Yield strength | Elongation A | Reduction of Area Z | Brinell Hardness | Cold Bend d=3a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| According to Customer's requirements | Chinese steel grade 50# | 85LB, 85LB-80LB | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
AREMA standard railway fish plate
| Standard | Material | Size(kg) | Tensile strength Rm | Yield strength | Elongation A | Reduction of Area Z | Brinell Hardness | Cold Bend d=3a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AREMA 2007 | Chinese steel grade 50# | 115RE, 119RE, 132RE, 136RE, 141RE... | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
How to select the appropriate specifications for a rail joint bar?
Selecting appropriate rail joint bar (fishplate) specifications involves matching the bar to the rail weight/profile, ensuring proper fit (4 or 6 holes), material strength, and type (standard, insulated, or compromise) to handle load, speed, and environmental conditions. Key considerations include matching the rail section (e.g., 115 RE, 132 RE, 60 kg), required bolt hole configuration, and structural needs to maintain joint stiffness and continuity.
Key Steps for Selection:
Identify Rail Profile & Weight: Determine the exact rail size (lbs/yd or kg/m), typically marked on the rail web, to ensure the fishplate profile perfectly matches the rail's fishing angles.
Determine Joint Type:
- Standard Joints: Used for connecting identical rail sections.
- Compromise Joints: Required when connecting two rails of different sizes, heights, or profiles.
- Insulated Joints (IRJ): Necessary for signaling systems (track circuits) to prevent electrical current flow between rails.
Select Bolt Hole Configuration: Choose between 4-hole or 6-hole bars based on the need for increased strength and better, more secure fastening, which is crucial for higher-load lines.
Check Material and Strength: Joint bars should be made of high-quality steel (e.g., 45#, 50#, or 55# carbon steel) to handle heavy wheel loads and impact stresses.
| Grade/Standard | C | Si | Mn | P (max) | S (max) | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45# (GB/T 699) | 0.42-0.50 | 0.17-0.37 | 0.50-0.80 | 0.035 | 0.035 | Quality carbon steel |
| 50# (GB/T 699) | 0.47-0.55 | 0.17-0.37 | 0.50-0.80 | 0.035 | 0.035 | Quality carbon steel |
| 50Mn (GB/T 699) | 0.48-0.56 | 0.17-0.37 | 0.70-1.00 | 0.035 | 0.035 | Mn-enhanced carbon steel |
| Q235 (GB/T 700) | ≤0.22 | ≤0.35 | 0.30-0.65* | 0.045 | 0.050 | *Deoxidation method dependent |
| Q345 (GB/T 1591) | ≤0.20 | ≤0.55 | 1.00-1.60* | 0.045 | 0.045 | Contains Microalloys (e.g., V, Nb, Ti) |
Check for Special Conditions: For curved tracks, consider specifically designed or forged bars, and for Continuous Welded Rail (CWR), select bars designed for maintenance or emergency repairs.
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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