What are the unique advantages of E Type Rail Elastic Clips compared to SKL rail clips?
E-type and SKL rail clips, as two mainstream fasteners in global track systems, each possess unique performance advantages.
The most notable features of the E-type clip are its higher initial clamping force and exceptional resistance to stress relaxation, primarily attributable to its higher hardness design. The hardness standard for E-type clips is 44-48 HRC, whereas SKL clips are typically controlled within the 42-47 HRC range. This difference enables E-type clips to provide more durable rail retention under heavy-haul railway and high-temperature conditions, making them particularly suitable for lines with high axle loads and traffic volume.
| 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 |
In terms of structural design and installation maintenance, E-type clips demonstrate distinct advantages. Their symmetrical geometry allows for bidirectional installation, significantly improving construction efficiency and reducing installation complexity.
In contrast, SKL clips usually require specific orientation during installation. The compact design of E-type clips gives them wider adaptability to various sleeper types, enabling rapid deployment on concrete sleepers, wooden sleepers, or steel sleepers alike. This design versatility results in a higher degree of standardization for E-type clips globally and greater convenience in spare parts supply.
Regarding material performance, although both are manufactured from high-quality spring steel, E-type clips exhibit more outstanding fatigue life. A 20mm diameter E-type clip can achieve a fatigue life of 5 million cycles, while an SKL clip of the same size typically reaches 3 million cycles. This characteristic grants E-type clips a longer service cycle in high-speed railways and busy mainlines, effectively reducing the total lifecycle maintenance cost.
| 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 |
As a professional supplier of track fasteners, GNEE RAIL can recommend the most suitable clip type based on the client's specific working conditions, ensuring the track system achieves the optimal balance between safety and economy.
