E rail clip provide positive and durable rail alignment under the harshest working conditions, which extend the life of railway track. Generally, e rail clips are available at the range from 18mm to 23mm diameter. Rail –e clip is usually made of spring steel. As an important type of elastic rail clips, E-rail clip has a lot of sizes, such as E1, E2, E3, E1609, E1809, E1817, E2001, E2006, E2009, E2055, E2056, etc.
How to avoid stress fracture of E rail elastic clip?
To avoid E-clip stress fractures, ensure precise installation (10-12mm deflection, 3-9mm gap), use high-damping rail pads, maintain rail condition (control corrugation/roughness), manage clip design (geometry/materials), and control toe load to reduce vibrations and stress concentrations from dynamic wheel-rail forces, preventing fatigue failure.
Installation & Maintenance
Control Insertion Depth: Ensure clip deflection is precisely 10–12 mm and the gap to the cast shoulder is 3–9 mm.
Manage Rail Surface: Grind rails to control corrugation (wavelength/depth) and roughness, which cause resonance and vibration.
Optimize Rail Pad: Use high-damping rail pads (like mesh-type) to absorb vibrations, smooth stress cycles, and significantly extend clip life.
Control Toe Load: Apply the correct toe load; low toe loads under impact can surprisingly increase fatigue life, while high loads shorten it.
How does the e-type railroad clip function as a fastener?
The E-type railroad clip functions as a resilient fastener by using its spring steel elasticity to clamp rails to a baseplate, preventing rail movement (vertical, horizontal, twisting) and maintaining gauge, absorbing vibration, and withstanding dynamic train loads through a self-tensioning force, ensuring track integrity and safety. It creates a strong, elastic connection, allowing for continuous welded rail and reducing maintenance by not needing frequent re-tightening.
Elastic Clamping: Made from spring steel, the clip bends and deforms to create continuous pressure (toe load) on the rail's foot, holding it firmly against the sleeper/baseplate.
Movement Prevention: This elastic force stops the rail from moving sideways (creep), lifting up (vertical movement), or twisting under train traffic.
Vibration & Impact Absorption: Its inherent elasticity absorbs shock and vibration from passing trains, protecting the track structure and reducing noise.
Self-Tensioning: Once installed, it maintains its clamping force without constant adjustment, making it "fit and forget," which simplifies operations and maintenance.
Integrated System: It's part of a system with shoulders, pads, and insulators, working together to maintain the correct rail gauge (distance between rails) for safe travel.
| Item included | Quantity | Material | Size | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E clip | 2 | 60Si2MnA, 60Si2CrA | Dia. 16mm,18mm or 20mm (E1809, E2006,E2007,E2009,etc | Hardness: 44-48HRC |
| Toe Load: Dia.16mm: 500-700kgf; Dia.18mm:750-900kgf; Dia.20mm:1100-1400kgf | ||||
| Fatigue life: 5 millions cycles without breaking | ||||
| Standard: DIN17221, BS970, GB/T1222 | ||||
| Shoulder | 2 | QT500-7, QT450-10 | For UIC54, UIC60, 115RE, BS80lbs, BS100lbs, 50kg rail, 60kg rail, etc. | Note: Hardness of E-clip is 44-48HRC; Toe Load for E-clip is 500-700kgf (Dia.16mm); 750-900kgf(Dia.18mm); 1100-1400kgf(Dia.20mm); Fatigue life of E-clip is 5 millions cycles without breaking DIN17221, BS970, GB/T1222 qualified E-clip |
| Rail pad | 1 | HDPE, rubber or EVA | ||
| Insulator | 2 | Reinforced Nylon 66 (PA66) |
GNEE RAIL offer an extensive range of rail clips with optimum quality, 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.