What Are Rail Clips?
Rail clips are tools utilized for securely attaching rails to the baseplate underneath them. Their main purpose is to keep the rail stable and prevent any shifts that may cause alignment issues or accidents. The selection of materials and design for rail clips is carefully done to ensure durability, in weather conditions and mechanical pressures often faced in railway activities.
Key functions of rail clips
- Secure fastening: They provide a reliable and firm connection between the rails and the underlying sleepers (or other support structures).
- Prevent movement: Rail clips stop the rails from shifting longitudinally and laterally.
- Maintain track gauge: By keeping the rails in position, they ensure the proper distance between them, which is essential for safe train operation.
- Absorb shock and vibration: They are designed to absorb impact energy from moving trains, reducing stress on the track structure.
- Accommodate thermal expansion: They allow for the slight movement and expansion of rails caused by temperature changes.
Common types and materials
- Types: Common types include E-type, SKL, and Nabla clips, with each being designed for specific applications and track conditions.
| Model | Diameter | Weight |
| Type III | Ø18 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E1609 | Ø16 | 0.43 kg/pc |
| E1809 | Ø20 | 0.61kg/pc |
| E1813 | Ø18 | 0.62kg/pc |
| E2001 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2007 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2009 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2039 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2055 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2056 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2063 | Ø20 | 0.80kg/pc |
| PR85 Rail Clip | Ø13 | 0.25kg/pc |
| PR309A | Ø19 | 0.85kg/pc |
| PR401 | Ø20 | 0.97kg/pc |
| PR415 | Ø20 | 0.95kg/pc |
| PR601A | Ø20 | 1.03kg/pc |
| SKL 1 | Ø13 | 0.48kg/pc |
| SKL 3 | Ø13 | 0.48kg/pc |
| SKL 12 | Ø13 | 0.53kg/pc |
| SKL 14 | Ø13 | 0.53kg/pc |
| Special Rail Clip | Ø13 | 0.48kg/pc |
| Russia Rail Clip | Ø18 | 0.58kg/pc |
| Deenik Clip | Ø25 | 0.49-0.68kg/pc |
| Single Anti- | Ø20 | 0.25kg/pc |
| Theft |
- Materials: They are typically made from high-strength spring steel to withstand the immense forces they endure.
| 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 |
- Durability: They are often treated to prevent corrosion from rust and are designed to have a long service life with minimal maintenance.
Elastic rail clips manufacturing process
Based on the process production, elastic rail clip manufacture process can be summarized as eight links: raw material- shearing- heating- forming- hardening- tempering- inspection- packing.
As an OEM & OBM manufacturer, GNEE RAIL is capable of not only producing a wide range of internationally common types of rail clips, such as W Tension Clamp, e-Clip, Fast-Clip, SKL Tension Clamp, Nabla Blade, etc., but also customizing products tailored to our customers' specific requirements.
