What are the main fasteners that make up the rail fastening system

Sep 23, 2025 Leave a message

A rail fastening system, also known as rail fastening, rail fastener, railway fastening system, it is used to fix rails to railway sleeper or railroad ties, which is usually consisted of rail clips, rail anchors, railroad tie plates, chairs, fasteners, dog spikes, screw spikes, track bolts, etc. The selection of a fastening system must be made with utmost care for rail road safety can't be compromised.

 

rail fastening

 

1. Rail clamping

 

Rail clip or rail clamp are essentail parts of rail fastening system. Clamping forces may vary with the fastening system and customer requirements. Generally, most fastening systems offer a clamping force per clip between 7.5 to 12.5 kN with deflections of the clips toe between 10 and 15mm. According to European standards, the minimum force to push the rail through the fastening system of 7kN is for most main line tracks and 9 kN for high speed rail and heavy freight lines, which suggests that a nominal clamping force per clip of 8.5kN at minimal for mixed traffic line and 10 kN for the more severe applications.

 

rail elastic clip

E-type Clips
Model Diameter Material Hardness
E1809 ø20 60Si2MnA 44-48
E1813 ø18 60Si2MnA 44-48
E2001 ø20 60Si2MnA 44-48
E2039 ø20 60Si2MnA 60Si2MnA
E2055 ø20 60Si2MnA 60Si2MnA
SKL Tension clips
Model Diameter Material Hardness
SKL1 ø13 60Si3CrA 42-47
SKL3 ø13 60Si3CrA 42-47
SKL12 ø13 38Si7 42-47
SKL14 ø14 60Si2MnA 42-47

 

Other Rail Clips
Model Russia rail clip Deenik clip Anti-vandal clip Fast clip GL1419 GL1419
Diameter ø18 ø25 ø18 ø15 ø14

 

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2. Shoulder/ anchor

 

The rail shoulder/ rail anchor has a very important role in fastening system. The rail shoulder/ rail anchor has to be able to withstand the impact of loads and vibration transmitted to the sleeper without breaking the sleeper or getting loose. The European standard requires that all the elements of fastening should be capable to withstand a 60kN pullout force with doing no harm to the sleeper.

 

rail fasteners

 

Rail anchors specifications

 

Type Used in 50Kg, 85Kg,90/91LB, 115RE /136RE ,UIC54 & UIC60 rail, or other types upon customers' drawings.
Material 60Si2MnA 45# QT500-7
Chemical composition(%)     C:3.60-3.80, Mn:≤0.6, Si:2.50-2.90, P:≤0.08, S:≤0.025
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:0.42-0.50, Mn:0.50-0.80, Si:0.17-0.37, Cr:≤0.25, P:≤0.035, S:≤0.035
   
Surface plain (oiled),color painting, zinc painted or HDG
Standard AS1085.10-20002 , DIN, ISO-9001

 

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3. Insulator

 

Rail insulator in rail fastening system works as a cushion to stop the wearing of other fastening components. And then the insulator must be made of materials resistant to wear, to degrade from ultra violet light and to attack from chemicals. The requirements on insulators vary with the nature of the signaling and electrical systems.

 

rail spike

Rail Nylon Insulator Data Specifictions

 

Technical Parameter Unit Technical Requirement Value
Density g/cm 1.3-1.45 1.45
Tensile Strength Mpa ≥170 178
Elongation % ≤4.4 4.0
Bending Strength Mpa ≥250 290
Impact Strength (No gap) KJ/m2 ≥80 85
Melting Point 250 - 270 270
Insulation Resistance Ω ≥1×108 5×108
Glass Fiber Content % 30-35 35
Hardness HRR ≥110 118

 

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4. Rail pads

 

The function of rail pads is to spread the load from the rail to the railroad sleeper and to attenuate the loads impact from bad joints, track irregularities and faults in rolling stock. The railroad pad is usually made of rubber, of 10 mm thick, or is a plastic such as EVA between 5 mm and 10 mm thick. The stiffness of the pad is typically in the rang 40-450 kN/mm, and the 5 mm plastic pad can offer stiffness as high up to 6000 kN/mm. Low stiffness railroad pads are not recommended for use in curves sharper than about 400m radius.

 

rail clamp

 

Rubber Rail Pad

 

Technical Parameter Unit Value
Stiffness KN 90-130
Hardness Shore A 72-80 degree
Electronic Resistance Ω ≥ 106
Tensile Strength before Aging Mpa ≥12.5
Elongation before Aging % ≥250

 

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