E-type rail clips, commonly called E-clips, are spring-steel fasteners that hold the rail foot firmly against the sleeper or tie plate and protect the fastening assembly from the high pressures caused by passing trains. They are made from spring steel, which gives them high strength and a stable elastic toe load. This article explains the sizes of E-type railroad clips and how the size designations are read.
What Is an E-Type Rail Clip
The E-clip is named after its E-shaped side profile. It is driven into place over the rail foot so that its legs deflect elastically and press the rail down. Because the clip works as a spring, its wire diameter and the steel grade determine the toe load it can provide, and the size must be matched to the rail section and the fastening system.
How E-Clip Size Designations Work
E-clip designations combine a series letter and numbers, for example E1609, E1809, E2007 and E2055. The first two digits indicate the nominal wire diameter in millimetres, and the last digits identify the series variant within that diameter. An E1609 clip is therefore made from 16 mm wire, an E1809 and E1813 from 18 mm wire, and the E20 series from 20 mm wire.
E-Clip Size and Weight Table
| Model | Wire diameter | Weight | Material | Hardness | Minimum toe load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E1609 | 16 mm | 0.43 kg/pc | 60Si2MnA | 44-48 HRC | 950 kgf |
| E1809 | 18 mm | 0.61 kg/pc | 60Si2MnA | 44-48 HRC | 950 kgf |
| E1813 | 18 mm | 0.62 kg/pc | 60Si2MnA | 44-48 HRC | 950 kgf |
| E2001 | 20 mm | 0.80 kg/pc | 60Si2MnA | 44-48 HRC | 950 kgf |
| E2007 | 20 mm | 0.80 kg/pc | 60Si2MnA | 44-48 HRC | 950 kgf |
| E2009 | 20 mm | 0.80 kg/pc | 60Si2MnA | 44-48 HRC | 950 kgf |
| E2039 | 20 mm | 0.80 kg/pc | 60Si2MnA | 44-48 HRC | 950 kgf |
| E2055 | 20 mm | 0.80 kg/pc | 60Si2MnA | 44-48 HRC | 950 kgf |
| E2056 | 20 mm | 0.80 kg/pc | 60Si2MnA | 44-48 HRC | 950 kgf |
| E2063 | 20 mm | 0.80 kg/pc | 60Si2MnA | 44-48 HRC | 950 kgf |
The toe load is the force with which the clip presses the rail foot down. A minimum toe load of 950 kgf is about 9.3 kN, and the actual value for a given model must be confirmed from the drawing supplied with the order, because it depends on the deflection and the rail foot profile.
Material, Hardness and Fatigue Data
E-clips are made of silicon-manganese spring steel. Common grades are 60Si2MnA, 60Si2CrA, 55Si2Mn and 38Si7, in accordance with spring steel standards such as DIN 17221, BS 970 and GB/T 1222. After heat treatment the hardness is 44 to 48 HRC. Fatigue testing shows that a clip made from 18 mm wire survives 3 million cycles without breaking and a 20 mm clip 5 million cycles. Standard surface treatments are plain oiled, oxide black, zinc plating, hot-dip galvanizing, Dacromet coating and colour painting.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | 60Si2MnA, 60Si2CrA, 55Si2Mn, 38Si7 |
| Hardness | 44-48 HRC |
| Fatigue life | 3 million cycles for 18 mm wire, 5 million for 20 mm wire |
| Surface | Plain oiled, oxide black, zinc plated, hot-dip galvanized, Dacromet, colour painting |
| Standards | DIN 17221, BS 970, GB/T 1222, UIC, AREMA, RDSO, JIS |
How to Choose the Right Size
Select the E-clip by matching the wire diameter and series to the rail section, the sleeper shoulder and the required toe load. Lighter rails and lower axle loads generally use 16 mm clips, while mainline and heavy-haul fastenings use 18 mm or 20 mm clips. Confirm the toe load, the deflection and the shoulder geometry from the project drawing, and verify the chemical composition and hardness from the mill certificate of the delivered batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the numbers in an E-clip name mean? The first two digits give the nominal wire diameter in millimetres and the last digits identify the series variant, for example E1809 is an 18 mm clip in the 09 series.
What is the weight of an E1609 clip? n E1609 clip weighs about 0.43 kg and is made from 16 mm spring-steel wire.
What hardness do E-clips have? E-clips are heat-treated to 44 to 48 HRC.
How much toe load does an E-clip provide? The minimum toe load is about 950 kgf, approximately 9.3 kN, and the exact value depends on the model and the rail foot profile.
Can E-clips be customized? Yes, E-clips can be produced to customer drawings and samples, with the material, hardness, fatigue life and surface treatment specified in the order.
