What is the material of railway fish plate?

Feb 04, 2026 Leave a message

A rail fish plate is a structural joint bar whose purpose is to prevent rail-end separation and uneven load transfer by mechanically linking adjacent rails into a single working unit. GNEE RAIL provides fish plates suitable for GB light and heavy rails, UIC50/UIC54/UIC60, DIN536 and QU crane rail systems, JIS rail sections, AS1085 rails, BS11 standards, and AREMA/ASCE profiles, along with technical documentation support.

 

rail fish plate

 

Fishplate for UIC Standard Steel Rail
Steel Rail Type Steel Rail Weight (KG/M) Fishplate Standard Fishplate Material
UIC54 54.43 UIC 45#,55#
UIC60 60.34
Fishplate for BS Standard Steel Rail
BS50'O' 24.833 BS 47-1 55#,45# European Grade 700
BS60A 30.618
BS75R 37.041
BS80A 39.761
BS90A 45.099
BS100A 50.182
BS113A 56.398
Joint Bar for AREMA 2007 Standard Steel Rail
100RE(TR50) 50.35 AREMA 2007 45#,55#,AREMA Grade Steel
115RE 56.9
115-119RE
132RE 65.31
133RE 66.1
136RE 67.41
132-136RE
Fishplate For Chinese Standard Steel Rail
GB15KG 15.2 YB226-63 Q235,45#
GB18KG 18.06 YB225-63
GB22KG 22.3 YB14-63
GB24KG 24.46
GB30KG 30.1 YB351-63
GB38KG 38.733 TB/T 2345-2008 45#,55#
GB43KG 44.653
GB50KG 51.514

 

What is the material of railway fish plate?

 

Railway fish plates are primarily manufactured from high-quality hot-rolled, forged, or cast steel (such as Q235, medium, or high carbon steel) to ensure strength, durability, and resistance to fatigue. For specialized applications, they can also be made from composite materials (fiberglass and resin) for insulation or, less commonly, cast iron.


Key details regarding fish plate materials:

 

 

  • Steel Types: Commonly uses Q235 steel, high-strength alloy, or medium-to-high carbon steel to withstand heavy loads.

 

rail fish plate

 

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)

 

  • Insulated Components: These are made from specialized composite materials designed to block electric current in electrified tracks.

 

  • Manufacturing Process: Generally produced via rolling or forging, often finished with heat treatment.

 

rail joint

 

Manufacturing Stage Key Process Details
1. Raw Material Preparation Selection of high-carbon or high-strength steel to meet structural standards.
2. Heating & Shaping Heated to ~950-1000°C and shaped via hot rolling or forging for a dense structure.
3. Cutting Rolled stock is cut to the required fishplate lengths.
4. Hole Creation Bolt holes are punched or drilled for rail connection.
5. Heat Treatment Quenching and tempering are applied to enhance hardness, strength, and wear resistance.
6. Machining & Finishing Final machining for precise dimensions; surfaces are cleaned and polished.
7. Surface Treatment & Inspection Application of anti-corrosion coatings. Final inspection includes dimensional checks, hardness/tensile testing, and ultrasonic flaw detection.

 

  • Function: They are designed to connect two rail ends while providing durability and minimizing wear.

 

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.