A rail fish plate is an essential track component that mechanically links two rails, restoring effective sectional strength and continuity to non-welded tracks while allowing safe operational load transfer. GNEE RAIL supplies fish plates for GB rails, UIC standards, DIN536 and QU crane rails, JIS rail types, AS1085 rails, BS11 sections, and AREMA/ASCE rail specifications, with one-stop solutions including supply, installation guidance, and technical support.
| Standard | Type | Length/Diameter | Weight /Material | |
| AREMA 2007 | 115RE | 4 hole-24" | 17.04Kg | 45# chemical |
| 115RE | 6 hole-36" | 25.56Kg | composition(%): | |
| 132-136RE | 4 hole-24" | 17.75Kg | C: 0.42-0.50 | |
| 132-136RE | 6 hole-36" | 26.63Kg | Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |
| UIC864 | UIC60 | 4 hole-630/Φ26 | 18.07Kg | Si: 0.17-0.37 |
| UIC60 | 4 hole-600/Φ28 | 17.47Kg | Cr: ≤0.25 | |
| UIC60 | 4 hole-630/Φ25 | 18.1Kg | P: ≤0.035 | |
| UIC54 | 4 hole | 14.34Kg | S: ≤0.035 | |
| UIC54 | 6 hole-800 | 19.94Kg | ||
| BS 47-1 | BS75R | 4 hole | 6.56Kg | |
| BS60A | 4 hole | 5.61Kg | ||
| BS80A | 4 hole | 6.5Kg | ||
| BS90A | 685.8/Φ26 | 13.23Kg | 50# chemical | |
| BS90A | 792.9/Φ26.2 | 15.34Kg | composition(%): | |
| BS100A | 4 hole | C: 0.62-0.70 | ||
| 90/91LB | 4 hole | 18.08Kg | Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |
| 90/91LB | 6 hole | 19.9Kg | Si: 0.17-0.37 | |
| AS | 50kg | 4 hole | 14.3Kg | Cr: ≤0.25 |
| 50kg | 6 hole | 19.5Kg | P: ≤0.035 | |
| S49 | 4 hole | 9.71Kg | S: ≤0.035 |
what does a good rail joint need to meet?
A good rail joint must maintain the same structural strength, stiffness, and vertical/lateral alignment as the connected rails to ensure smooth, safe train passage. It must allow for thermal expansion/contraction, offer high durability, facilitate easy maintenance, and minimize impact loads to prevent battering or track misalignment.
Key Requirements for a Good Rail Joint:
- Structural Integrity: It must have strength and stiffness equal to the rail itself, often acting as the weak point of the track.
- Alignment and Gauge: The joint must keep rail ends in the same horizontal and vertical plane to prevent buckling or uneven loading.
- Expansion/Contraction Management: It must allow for movement due to temperature changes to prevent buckling in heat or fracture in cold.
- Durability and Low Maintenance: Components (fishplates, bolts) should be durable, cost-effective, and easy to replace without disrupting the entire track.
- Shock Absorption: The joint must have sufficient elasticity to absorb vibrations and wheel impacts.
- Resistance to Creep: It must resist longitudinal forces (acceleration/deceleration) to prevent track movement.
- Insulation (Where Required): In signaled areas, insulating joints must prevent electrical continuity between rails.
What is the material of the rail joint?
Rail joints, also known as fishplates, are primarily manufactured from high-strength materials designed to withstand heavy loads, with standard joints made of medium-carbon steel, high-carbon steel, or ductile iron. Insulated rail joints utilize composite materials like fiberglass or polyurethane to prevent electric current flow.
Key Materials by Type:
- Standard Joints: Typically made from Q235, Q255 rolled steel, or forged steel.
- Insulated Joints: Composed of thermosetting materials, high-strength composites, or fiberglass for insulation, corrosion resistance, and non-magnetic properties.
- Manufacturing Standards: Often conform to specific grades such as DIN 5902-1995 (using Chinese steel grade Q235) or other international standards (AREMA, BS, JIS, UIC).
| Material Type | Typical Grade / Designation | Chemical Composition (wt%) | Notes / Equivalent Standards |
| Carbon Structural Steel | Q235 (GB/T 700) | C: ≤0.22 | Common mild steel for general joint bars. Similar to ASTM A36, S235JR. |
| Si: ≤0.35 | |||
| Mn: 0.30-0.65 | |||
| P: ≤0.045 | |||
| S: ≤0.045 | |||
| Carbon Structural Steel | Q255 (GB/T 700) | C: 0.18-0.28 | Slightly higher strength than Q235. |
| Si: ≤0.35 | |||
| Mn: 0.40-0.70 | |||
| P: ≤0.045 | |||
| S: ≤0.045 | |||
| Medium Carbon Steel | 50Mn / 50BA (GOST 10779) | C: 0.47-0.55 | Classic high-strength fish plate steel. Widely used for mainline joints. |
| Si: 0.17-0.37 | |||
| Mn: 0.80-1.20 | |||
| P: ≤0.040 | |||
| S: ≤0.045 | |||
| Medium Carbon Steel | 55# (GB/T 699) | C: 0.52-0.60 | Standard medium carbon steel for demanding applications. Similar to AISI 1055. |
| Si: 0.17-0.37 | |||
| Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |||
| P: ≤0.035 | |||
| S: ≤0.035 | |||
| Alloy Steel | 42CrMo (GB/T 3077) | C: 0.38-0.45 | High-strength, high-toughness alloy for severe service. Similar to AISI 4140/4142. |
| Si: 0.17-0.37 | |||
| Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |||
| Cr: 0.90-1.20 | |||
| Mo: 0.15-0.25 | |||
| P: ≤0.035 | |||
| S: ≤0.035 | |||
| Spheroidal Graphite Cast Iron | QT450-10 (GB/T 1348) | C: 3.60-3.90 | Used in some traditional/joint kits for its castability and damping properties. Similar to EN-GJS-450-10. |
| Si: 2.00-3.00 | |||
| Mn: ≤0.50 | |||
| P: ≤0.07 | |||
| S: ≤0.015 | |||
| Mg: 0.03-0.06 (Nodulizer) | |||
| Insulating Composite Material | Epoxy Fiberglass / FRP | Base: Epoxy Resin | No metallic elements. Provides electrical insulation (Resistivity >10¹² Ω·cm), corrosion resistance. |
| Reinforcement: E-Glass Fiber (>60%) | |||
| Additives: Hardener, fillers (e.g., SiO₂) |
Founded in 2008, GNEE RAIL is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of railway components, specializing in high-quality rail fish plates (joint bars/splice bars) with strong production capacity and global service capabilities.
Our rail fish plate portfolio is comprehensive and compliant with international standards including UIC, AREMA, BS, DIN, and GB, covering light rail (8kg-30kg), heavy rail (38kg-75kg), and crane rail (QU70-QU120) systems. We offer diverse types such as insulated joint bars, bulged fish plates, and compromise rail joints,with precise specifications (4-hole/6-hole, 24-inch/36-inch), ensuring excellent mechanical performance.We uphold strict quality control supported by ISO 9001:2015 certification, an in-house inspection center, and third-party audits by SGS and BV. Our one-stop service includes customization, production, packaging, and after-sales support, tailored to clients' project needs.
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