What are rail tension clamps?
Jan 28, 2026
What are rail tension clamps?
Rail tension clamps (or rail clips) are vital elastic fastening components made from high-strength spring steel, designed to securely fasten rails to sleepers (ties) while maintaining necessary pressure. They allow for slight movement due to thermal expansion, reduce vibrations, and enhance overall track stability.
GNEE RAIL supplies E-Type clips, SKL clips, Nabla clips, Pandrol PR clips, KPO clamps, Deenik clips, Fast Clip systems, crane rail clips, and Russian-standard clips for global rail projects.
Key Aspects of Rail Tension Clamps:
- Function: They maintain a constant, strong clamping force on the rail foot to prevent track displacement, minimizing wear and ensuring safety.
- Types: Common types include SKL tension clamps (SKL1, SKL2, SKL12, SKL14), e-Clips (e1609, e1813, e2001), fast-clips, and Nabla blades.
| 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. |
- Material & Design: Manufactured from spring steel (e.g., 60Si2Mn, 38Si7) to provide flexibility and resistance against dynamic forces. They are designed to be self-locking and often used with concrete or wooden sleepers.
| 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 |
- Applications: They are essential in high-speed, heavy-haul, and conventional railway systems, as well as in crane tracks.
What are railroad clips used for?
Rail tension clamp (or elastic clips) are specialized metal fasteners used to securely attach rail tracks to sleepers (ties) or baseplates, maintaining gauge and preventing vertical or lateral movement. They ensure track stability, absorb vibrations, and manage thermal expansion forces, reducing the risk of buckling or breakage.
Key functions and details include:
- Safety & Stability: By providing high clamping force (often ~2 tons), they keep the track securely in place, which is crucial for high-speed or heavy-haul lines.
- Material: Made of forged spring steel to withstand high-stress, fatigue, and environmental corrosion.
- Versatility: They are used on concrete, steel, or wooden sleepers to maintain structural integrity.
- Longevity: They offer a "fit and forget" solution, requiring lower maintenance compared to traditional spikes, which can loosen over time.
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.
