What is a fishplate joint?
A fish plate joint (or splice bar) is a metal bar bolted to the sides of two railway rails to join them together, ensuring structural continuity, stability, and proper alignment (line and level). These joints allow for expansion and contraction of rails due to temperature changes.
Key Details About Fish Plate Joints:
- Purpose: Primarily used to connect rail ends in non-welded tracks, allowing for thermal expansion while keeping the tracks aligned.
- Structure: Composed of two steel plates placed on opposite sides of the rail web, secured with four to six specialized "fish bolts".
- Design: The top and bottom edges are tapered to fit into the spaces between the rail head and flange (the web).
- Usage: Used in heavy-haul, industrial, metro, and mining railway tracks.
- Types: Standard, insulated (for signaling), and specialized joints like "belly fish plates" for broken rails or welded joints.
Hot sale Common Rail Joint Bars
| No. | Type | Material | Unit weight (kg/pc) | Standard |
| 1 | 136RE 36'' | 55# | 26.72 | AREMA |
| 2 | 115RE 36'' | 24.5 | ||
| 3 | 136RE 24'' | 22.3 | ||
| 4 | 115RE 24'' | 20.4 | ||
| 5 | 100-8 36'' | 15.6 | ||
| 6 | BS80O | 55# | 10.2 | BS |
| 7 | BS80R | 10.2 | ||
| 8 | BS75A | 8.86 | ||
| 9 | BS90A | 13.1 | ||
| 10 | BS100A | 15 | ||
| 11 | UIC50 | 55# | 18 | UIC |
| 12 | UIC54 | 22.8 | ||
| 13 | UIC60 | 27.4 | ||
| 14 | P65 | 55# | 29.7 | GOST |
| 15 | Insulated 60 | 23.2 |
Chemical Composition of Rail Joint Steel Grades
| Element | 45# Steel (AISI 1045) | 50Mn Steel (GB/T 3077) | 42CrMo Steel (AISI 4140) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.42–0.50 | 0.47–0.55 | 0.38–0.45 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.17–0.37 | 0.17–0.37 | 0.17–0.37 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.50–0.80 | 0.70–1.00 | 0.50–0.80 |
| Chromium (Cr) | Not Specified | Not Specified | 0.90–1.20 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | Not Specified | Not Specified | 0.15–0.25 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 |
| Key Standard | GB/T 699 | GB/T 3077 | GB/T 3077 / AISI 4140 |
What is the purpose of a rail joint?
A rail joint connects two steel rail ends to ensure track continuity, strength, and safety for passing trains. It maintains proper alignment while allowing for thermal expansion and contraction, preventing structural failure. Key purposes include holding rails securely in vertical/horizontal alignment, resisting longitudinal movement, and enabling easy installation or replacement.
Key Functions and Features of a Rail Joint:
- Structural Connection: Links rail ends together using fishplates (joint bars) and bolts to maintain a continuous, stable track.
- Thermal Expansion/Contraction: Provides necessary space to accommodate changes in rail length due to temperature variations, preventing buckling.
- Stability and Alignment: Holds the rail ends in the correct horizontal and vertical alignment to prevent uneven surfaces.
- Load Distribution: Distributes heavy pressure and impact loads from passing vehicles across the rail joint.
- Specialized Functions: Certain joints are designed for specific needs, such as insulated joints for signaling systems, or compromised joints for connecting rails of different sizes.
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.
Click here to obtain the detailed product catalog of GNEE RAIL.
