Rail clips are one of the most critical elastic fasteners in the railway fastening system. Their main function is to apply continuous clamping force to firmly secure the rail to the sleeper or rail base plate, while also providing elasticity to absorb shocks and vibrations generated during train operations. To meet the demanding requirements of high strength, high elasticity, and long service life, rail clips are manufactured from special materials.
The most common materials for rail clips are high-quality alloy spring steels, such as 60Si2MnA, 60Si2CrA, 55Si2Mn, and 38Si7. These steels possess excellent elastic recovery and fatigue resistance, allowing rail clips to maintain stable clamping force even under long-term exposure to high-frequency vibrations and alternating stresses.
Parameters of Main Rail Clip Products
| 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 | |||
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In addition to conventional spring steels, micro-alloyed steels or corrosion-resistant steels are sometimes used for specific railway lines. For example, coastal railways or heavy-haul mining railways may adopt clips with surface anti-corrosion coatings or made from special steel grades to enhance durability in harsh environments such as cold, humid, or salt-laden atmospheres.
The performance of rail clips depends not only on the raw material but also on their manufacturing process. After hot rolling, the steel undergoes strict heat treatment, shot blasting, and anti-rust treatment, ensuring excellent fatigue strength and long service life.
GNEE RAIL supplies rail clips manufactured from high-quality alloy spring steel, and we can also provide customized solutions tailored to different operating environments. Whether for high-speed railways, heavy-haul lines, or industrial tracks, GNEE RAIL offers rail clips that ensure safety, durability, and reliable performance. Please contact us for detailed specifications and quotations.
