A rail fish plate is a steel joining bar that ensures two rails act as a continuous structural unit by transferring vertical, lateral, and longitudinal forces through bolted connections. It minimizes differential settlement and alignment deviation at rail joints. GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY supplies fish plates compatible with GB, UIC, DIN536, QU, JIS, AS1085, BS11, and AREMA/ASCE rail systems, offering matched bolt kits and technical support for correct joint installation.
What is a joggled fish plate?
A joggled fish plate is a specialized, forged railway joint bar featuring a central bulge or convex bend, designed to protect, reinforce, or temporarily repair welded rail joints and fractured tracks. It provides structural integrity and allows safe, reduced-speed train movement over damaged sections.
Key Aspects of Joggled Fish Plates:
- Design & Function: The distinct "joggle" (a bend or bulge) allows the plate to fit over weld collars at joint locations, accommodating minor misalignments or irregularities.
- Primary Uses: Used for emergency repairs of broken or cracked welded rails, and to protect new welds during testing.
- Emergency Applications: Acts as a temporary clamp, enabling continued, slow-speed train operations over a damaged rail until permanent repairs are made.
How much does a 52 kg joggled fish plate weight in kg?
A 52 kg joggled fish plate typically weighs between 12 kg and 17.4 kg per piece. While designed for use with 52 kg/m rail sections, the fish plate itself is much lighter than the rail, with common 4-hole joggled variants weighing around 16.97 kg to 17.38 kg.
- Weight Range: 12–15 kg, or up to 16.97–17.38 kg for specific 4-hole versions.
- Usage: Used to connect 52 kg rails, particularly for insulated joints.
- Material: High-strength steel, hot-rolled.
| Material Type | Typical Grade / Designation | Chemical Composition (wt%) | Notes / Equivalent Standards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Structural Steel | Q235 (GB/T 700) | C: ≤0.22 Si: ≤0.35 Mn: 0.30-0.65 P: ≤0.045 S: ≤0.045 |
Common mild steel for general joint bars. Similar to ASTM A36, S235JR. |
| Carbon Structural Steel | Q255 (GB/T 700) | C: 0.18-0.28 Si: ≤0.35 Mn: 0.40-0.70 P: ≤0.045 S: ≤0.045 |
Slightly higher strength than Q235. |
| Medium Carbon Steel | 50Mn / 50BA (GOST 10779) | C: 0.47-0.55 Si: 0.17-0.37 Mn: 0.80-1.20 P: ≤0.040 S: ≤0.045 |
Classic high-strength fish plate steel. Widely used for mainline joints. |
| Medium Carbon Steel | 55# (GB/T 699) | C: 0.52-0.60 Si: 0.17-0.37 Mn: 0.50-0.80 P: ≤0.035 S: ≤0.035 |
Standard medium carbon steel for demanding applications. Similar to AISI 1055. |
How are joggled fish plates manufactured?
Joggled fish plates are manufactured by cutting high-strength steel bars to size, followed by hot-pressing to create a central, offset "joggle" (curve) designed to clear weld collars. The process includes drilling bolt holes, heat treatment for durability, and surface finishing (e.g., painting). They are produced according to strict RDSO specifications to ensure precise fit and strength.
Manufacturing Process Steps:
- Material Selection: High-strength steel (e.g., carbon steel) is used to withstand high stresses.
- Cutting & Shaping: Steel bars are cut to specific lengths, with corners often rounded.
- Joggling (Offsetting): The central part of the fish plate is hot-forged or pressed to create an outward bend, allowing it to fit over weld joints.
- Drilling: Bolt holes are drilled (not punched) to precise dimensions to ensure proper alignment, removing all burrs.
- Heat Treatment: The plates are heat-treated to enhance strength, yield, and elongation, typically reaching a minimum tensile strength of 620 MPa.
- Finishing & Inspection: The plates are cleaned, inspected using templates (gauges), and sometimes coated or oiled for rust prevention.
Founded in 2008, GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY 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.