What Is the Difference Between E Type Rail Elastic Clip and SKL Rail Clip?
E-type and SKL rail clips, as two mainstream global track fastening systems, exhibit significant differences in structural design and performance characteristics.
The E-type clip features a unique symmetrical paperclip-like structure, which grants it bidirectional installation capability, significantly enhancing construction efficiency and reducing installation complexity. Its hardness range of 44-48 HRC ensures higher initial clamping force, making it particularly suitable for heavy-haul railways and high-temperature environments. The fatigue life of a 20mm diameter E-type clip can reach 5 million cycles, a characteristic that demonstrates exceptional durability in high-speed railways and busy mainlines.
| Item | Railway E clip | |||
| Chemical Composition | 60Si2MnA | 60Si2CrA | 55Si2Mn | 38Si7 |
| C:0.56-0.64, Mn:060-0.90, Si:1.50-2.00, Cr:≤0.35, P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03 | C:0.56-0.64, Mn:0.40-0.70, Si:1.40-1.80, | C:0.52-0.60, Mn:0.60-0.90, Si:1.50-2.00, | C:0.35-0.42, Mn:0.50-0.80, Si:1.50-1.80, P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03 | |
| Cr:0.70-1.00 P:≤0.03, | Cr:≤0.35 | |||
| S:≤0.03 | P:≤0.03, S:≤0.03 | |||
| Hardness | 44-48 HRC | |||
| Fatigue Life | 3-5 million cycles without breaking | |||
| Surface | Plain Oiled, Oxygen Black, Zinc Plated, Hot Dip Galvanized, Dacro coating, Color Painting | |||
| Standard | UIC, AREMA, BS, RDSO, DIN, JIS, ISCR, VALEC, GOSTR- EASC, GB/T or other upon requirements | |||
| Model | Diameter | Material | Under Pressure | HRC | Weight |
| E1609 | Ø 16mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.43kg/pc |
| E1809 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.61kg/pc |
| E1813 | Ø 18mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.62kg/pc |
| E2001 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2009 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2039 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2007 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2055 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2056 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
| E2063 | Ø 20mm | 60Si2MnA | ≥950kg | 44-48 | 0.80kg/pc |
The SKL clip employs an asymmetrical tension clamp design with a relatively lower hardness range of 42-47 HRC, but offers more flexible fastening characteristics. This design provides better adaptability to minor track deformations, making it particularly suitable for track sections requiring higher elasticity. SKL clip installation typically requires orientation distinction, placing higher demands on construction precision, but its mature system design and extensive global application base make it the preferred choice for many conventional railway projects.
| Name | SKL tension clamp |
| Material | 60Si2MnA 60Si2CrA 55Si2Mn 38Si7 |
| Hardness | 42-47HRC |
| Fatigue Life | for Dia.18 is 3 millions cycles without breaking |
| for Dia.20 is 5 millions cycles without breaking | |
| Surface | plain (oiled), Oxide black, color painting or according to customer requirement |
| Standard | DIN17221, BS970, GB/T1222 |
From a material selection perspective, both clips are manufactured from high-quality spring steel, but E-type clips tend to use higher-strength materials like 60Si2MnA and 60Si2CrA, while SKL clips flexibly utilize various spring steel materials across different models.
| 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 |
Regarding system compatibility, E-type clips offer wider adaptability due to their high degree of standardization, whereas SKL clips need to work in coordination with specific series of matching components.
GNEE RAIL recommends clients select the most suitable clip type based on specific track structure, operational conditions, and maintenance capabilities, ensuring the track system achieves the optimal balance between safety and economy.
