What material is commonly used to make elastic rail clips?
Jan 28, 2026
A rail clip is an elastic fastening unit that grips the rail foot and holds it against the rail seat with spring force, ensuring continuous contact while allowing elastic deflection under wheel loads to prevent rigid stress concentration. This elastic restraint is critical for keeping rail position stable during long-term operation.
GNEE RAIL supplies complete clip ranges including E-Type clips (E1609, E1809, E2007), SKL tension clips, Nabla spring blade clips, Pandrol PR clips, KPO rail clamps, Deenik clips, Fast Clip systems, Crane Rail Clips, and Russian Rail Clips for multiple fastening structures.
| Clip Type | Description / Key Feature | Common Models / Series | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-Type Rail Clip (E-Clip) | Known for durable alignment, used to secure rails under high pressure. | E1609, E1809, E1817, E2007, E2009, E2055 | High-speed & heavy-haul railways. |
| SKL Tension Clip | A highly common and flexible fastening system. | SKL1, SKL3, SKL12, SKL14, SKL75 | Mainline concrete sleeper tracks globally. |
| Nabla Rail Clip | A specialized, high-performance clip. | (Specific models vary by system) | Concrete sleeper fastening systems. |
| Fast Clip | Designed for rapid installation and high holding force, applied perpendicular to the rail. | (System-specific variants) | Rail systems requiring quick installation. |
| KPO Clamp | A heavy-duty, bolted fastening system. | KPO3, KPO6 | Cranes and heavy-haul railways. |
| PR Series Clip | A specialized clip for Pandrol fastening systems. | PR309, PR601 | Tracks using Pandrol fastening systems. |
| Deenik Clip | Known for its specific, often Y-shaped structure for secure, long-term fastening. | (Model numbers vary) | Applications requiring long-term, secure fastening. |
| Russian Rail Clip | Heavy-duty clips designed to comply with Russian railway standards. | (Specific to GOST standards) | Railways adhering to Russian standards. |
| Anti-Theft Clip | Specialized clips designed to prevent unauthorized removal. | 18Φ Single Anti-Theft Clip | Tracks in areas with high risk of tampering or theft. |
What material is commonly used to make elastic rail clips?
Elastic rail clips are primarily made from high-grade spring steel, with common grades including 60Si2Mn, 60Si2Cr, 38Si7, and 55Si7, which provide high yield strength, fatigue resistance, and durability. These alloy steels are typically forged hot and quenched/annealed to withstand extreme loads and environmental wear.
Key Materials and Properties:
- Spring Steel Grades: 60Si2Mn, 60Si2CrA, 55Si2Mn, 38Si7, 55Si7, and 65Si7.
| Element / Grade | 60Si2Mn | 60Si2CrA | 55Si2Mn | 38Si7 (≈1.5023) | 55Si7 (≈1.0904) | 65Si7 (≈1.0906) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.56–0.64 | 0.56–0.64 | 0.52–0.60 | 0.35–0.42 | 0.52–0.60 | 0.62–0.70 |
| Silicon (Si) | 1.50–2.00 | 1.40–1.80 | 1.50–2.00 | 1.60–2.00 | 1.60–2.00 | 1.60–2.00 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.60–0.90 | 0.40–0.70 | 0.60–0.90 | 0.50–0.80 | 0.70–1.00 | 0.70–1.00 |
| Chromium (Cr) | ≤0.30 | 0.70–1.00 | ≤0.30 | ≤0.30 | ≤0.30 | ≤0.30 |
| Nickel (Ni) | ≤0.35 | ≤0.35 | ≤0.35 | – | – | – |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.025 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.025 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.025 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.025 |
| Key Standard | GB/T 1222 | GB/T 1222 | GB/T 1222 | EN 10089 | EN 10089 | EN 10089 |
- Manufacturing Method: Hot forging and specialized heat treatment (quenching and tempering) to achieve necessary elasticity.
- Surface Treatment: Often coated with plain oil, black paint, or red paint for corrosion protection.
- Performance: Designed to withstand high fatigue, often passing over 3-5 million load cycles without breaking.
What are the advantages of using spring steel to manufacture ERC rail clips?
Spring steel is essential for manufacturing Elastic Rail Clips (ERC) due to its high yield strength, superior elasticity, and exceptional fatigue resistance, which allows the clips to maintain constant, secure pressure on rail tracks, prevent creep, and withstand heavy dynamic loads. These clips provide high-performance clamping that reduces maintenance, absorbs vibrations, and ensures structural longevity.
Key Advantages of Spring Steel for ERC Rail Clips
- High Elasticity and Resiliency: Spring steel enables clips to maintain a tight, consistent grip on the rail, compensating for thermal expansion and contraction without losing tension.
- Superior Fatigue Resistance: The material is designed to handle repetitive, high-stress, and dynamic loads from, passing trains, crucial for preventing breakage.
- Excellent Strength and Durability: High yield strength ensures the clips do not permanently deform under pressure, enhancing the overall lifespan of railway infrastructure.
- Vibration Dampening: The material effectively absorbs vibrations, which decreases damage to tracks and supporting sleepers.
GNEE RAIL supplies E rail clips, SKL rail clips, Nabla types rail clips, KPO rail clips, and other customized types of rail clips,these rail clips are designed with high precision and made up of premium grade spring steel. GNEE has been the largest and most competitive production base of rail clip in China after more than 18 years' rail clip producing experience, and have qualification to tender nationally large and medium scaled rail projects. What's more, our rail clip can be customized according to clients' requirements.
