AREMA 115RE Rail Joint Bar
The 115RE rail joint (also commonly referred to as a joint bar, splice bar, or rail fishplate) is a critical track-connecting component engineered in compliance with AREMA standards.
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GNEE RAIL 115RE Rail Joint Bars
The 115RE rail joint bar (also known as a fish plate or splice bar) is designed to connect adjoining 115RE rails in heavy-haul, freight, industrial, and maintenance railway applications. GNEE RAIL supplies AREMA-compliant 115RE joint bars in both 4-hole and 6-hole configurations, manufactured from high-strength carbon steel and available with matching fish bolts and fastening accessories.
As a specialized railway fastening manufacturer, GNEE RAIL supports custom drilling patterns, material grades, and complete rail joint assemblies, with full mill test certificates available upon request.
Technical Profile of the 115RE Rail Fishplate
The 115RE rail joint bar is manufactured to match the dimensional and performance requirements of AREMA-standard 115RE rail sections. Designed for reliable rail connections in freight, industrial, and heavy-haul railway systems, it helps maintain track alignment and transfer wheel loads across rail joints.
The Technical Specifications & Configurations of 115RE joint bar
| Parameter | 4-Hole Configuration | 6-Hole Configuration |
| Standard | AREMA | |
| Compatible Rail | 115RE (115 lbs/yd) | |
| Bar Length | 24 inches (609.6 mm) | 36 inches (914.4 mm) |
| Weight per Pair | ≈68 lbs (30.8 kg) | ≈102 lbs (46.3 kg) |
| Weight with Hardware | ≈76 lbs (34.5 kg) | ≈110 lbs (49.9 kg) |
| Compatible Track Bolt | 1″×6″ (with heavy square/hex nut) | 1″×6″ (with heavy square/hex nut) |
Standard Specifications and Materials: ASTM A49 vs. ASTM A3
AREMA specifies different material grades for rail joint bars based on traffic density, axle loads, and service conditions. The two most commonly referenced specifications for carbon steel joint bars are ASTM A49 and ASTM A3.
ASTM A49 (Heat-Treated Carbon Steel Joint Bars)
ASTM A49 is the standard specification for mainline tracks, high-traffic corridors, and heavy-haul freight railways where long-term fatigue resistance is essential. Joint bars manufactured to ASTM A49 requirements undergo a Quenched and Tempered (Q&T) heat treatment process to improve strength, toughness, and resistance to fatigue cracking.
This heat treatment enables the joint bar to withstand repeated heavy axle loads, dynamic wheel impacts, and demanding operating conditions commonly encountered on freight and passenger railway networks.
ASTM A3 (Non-Heat-Treated Carbon Steel Joint Bars)
ASTM A3 joint bars are typically used on low-speed railways, industrial sidings, light rail systems, maintenance tracks, and temporary bypass lines where loading conditions are less demanding.
Because ASTM A3 joint bars are not heat treated, they generally provide lower strength and fatigue performance than ASTM A49 grades. However, they remain a practical and cost-effective solution for lighter-duty railway applications where premium fatigue resistance is not required.
Request Sample MTCs, Technical Drawings, and Current Project Pricing
To support project approvals, inspections, and procurement verification, GNEE RAIL provides full production traceability for every batch of 115RE rail joint bars. Available documentation includes:
* Mill Test Certificates (MTC)
* Chemical Composition Reports
* Mechanical Property Test Results
* Heat Treatment Records
All documentation can be supplied before shipment or submitted for project qualification and technical review.
55# Steel vs. ASTM A49: Material Comparison for 115RE Railroad Joint
In international railway projects, manufacturers often utilize regional steel grades that can achieve mechanical properties comparable to AREMA requirements through controlled heat treatment and quality management processes.
At GNEE RAIL, 115RE rail joint bars are commonly manufactured from high-quality 55# carbon steel in accordance with GB/T 699. After proper quenching and tempering, 55# steel can achieve strength and fatigue performance suitable for AREMA-style rail joint applications, depending on the specified project requirements.
This material offers an effective balance of strength, machinability, heat-treatment response, and cost efficiency, making it widely used for railway fish plates, joint bars, and other track components supplied to international railway markets.
The following comparison provides a general reference between ASTM A49 joint bar requirements and heat-treated 55# steel used in railway applications.
Chemical Composition Limits
| Standard / Grade | Carbon (C) % | Manganese (Mn) % | Phosphorus (P) % | Sulfur (S) % | Silicon (Si) % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A49 | 0.35 – 0.60 | ≥ 0.60 | ≤ 0.040 | ≤ 0.050 | - |
| ASTM A3 (High-Carbon) | ≥ 0.45 | - | ≤ 0.040 | - | - |
| Chinese 55# Steel (GB/T 699) | 0.52 – 0.60 | 0.50 – 0.80 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 | 0.17 – 0.37 |
Mechanical Properties and Heat Treatment Influence
| Material & Heat Treatment State | Tensile Strength | Yield Strength | Elongation (50mm / 2 in.) | Reduction of Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A49 Requirement | ≥ 690 MPa (≥ 100,000 psi) | ≥ 480 MPa (≥ 70,000 psi) | ≥ 12% | ≥ 25% |
| ASTM A3 High-Carbon Requirement | ≥ 585 MPa (≥ 85,000 psi) | Not Specified | ≥ 15% | - |
| 55# Steel (Normalized State) | ≥ 645 MPa | ≥ 380 MPa | ≥ 13% | ≥ 35% |
| 55# Steel (Quenched & Tempered)* | ≥ 735 MPa | ≥ 490 MPa | ≥ 12% | ≥ 35% |
*Note: Raw 55# steel in its normalized state is suitable for low-speed lines (ASTM A3). However, when subjected to precision water-quenching and high-temperature tempering (at 540°C - 580°C), it meets the high yield requirements of ASTM A49 with a reliable safety margin.
Why GNEE RAIL Uses 55# Steel for 115RE Rail Joint Bars
Material selection is critical to the performance of railway joint bars. For AREMA-profile joints such as 115RE, 119RE, 132RE, and 136RE, GNEE RAIL uses heat-treatable 55# carbon steel to ensure sufficient strength, durability, and fatigue resistance for heavy railway applications.
- Through-Section Hardening：Compared with 45# steel, 55# steel offers better hardenability, ensuring more uniform properties across thick joint bar sections (20–40 mm) and stable performance under wheel impact and long-term loading.
- Fatigue Resistance：After quenching and tempering, 55# steel provides improved fatigue resistance, reducing cracking and deformation at rail joints under repeated cyclic loads.
- Engineering Selection Support：Material grade selection depends on axle load, traffic conditions, and environment. GNEE RAIL can recommend suitable steel and heat treatment processes per project requirements.
Integrated Fastening System for 115RE Rail Connections
A 115RE rail joint requires a complete fastening system to ensure stable performance under vibration and heavy axle loads. GNEE RAIL supplies full sets of compatible components for 115RE rail joint installation.
- Track Bolts (ASTM A449): High-strength button head oval neck bolts designed to lock into oval holes of the joint bar, preventing rotation during tightening.
- Spring Washers: Heavy-duty helical spring washers that maintain clamping force and reduce loosening under vibration.
- Tie Plates: Double-shoulder tie plates punched to match the 115RE rail base width (5-1/2").
- Rail Anchors & Spikes: Spring rail anchors and standard cut spikes or screw spikes used to secure rails to timber or concrete sleepers.
GNEE RAIL provides these components as a complete matched system to ensure dimensional compatibility and consistent installation performance across all 115RE rail joint assemblies.
Request Full 115RE Joint Kit Quotation
Reduce sourcing complexity by ordering complete 115RE rail joint kits, including joint bars, ASTM A449 bolts, and spring washers, directly from GNEE RAIL's ISO 9001 certified manufacturing facility.
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