A rail fish plate is a steel joint bar installed on both sides of the rail web to mechanically connect two rail ends into a continuous load-bearing member, allowing wheel loads to pass across the joint without abrupt stiffness change. Its core function is to restore structural continuity where rails are not welded.
GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY supplies fish plates matched to GB 8–60 kg/m rails, UIC50/54/60, DIN536 A55–A120 crane rails, QU70–QU120, JIS rail series, AS1085 sections, BS11 profiles, and AREMA/ASCE rail standards, with full joint kits including bolts, nuts, and washers.
What is the function of rail joints?
Rail joints (or fishplates) are crucial railway components that connect adjacent rail ends, ensuring continuity, proper alignment, and structural stability for safe train passage. They allow for thermal expansion/contraction, reduce wheel impact, and enable easy rail replacement.
Key functions of rail joints include:
- Structural Integrity: They connect rail ends, maintaining a continuous track and supporting the load of passing trains.
- Alignment Control: They keep rail ends aligned horizontally and vertically to prevent derailment.
- Thermal Management: They allow for contraction and expansion of the rails due to temperature variations.
- Impact Reduction: High-quality joints reduce the impact forces on the rail ends from train wheels.
- Versatility: Specific types, such as insulated joints, are used for signaling, while others, like compromise joints, connect rails of different weights or sections.
How are railfish plates manufactured? What materials are they made of?
Rail fish plates (or joint bars) are manufactured primarily through hot rolling, forging, and precise machining of high-strength carbon or alloy steel (such as Q235, 45#, 50#, or 55Q) to ensure durability, high tensile strength, and impact resistance. The process involves shaping, punching bolt holes, and heat treatment to enhance wear resistance.
Manufacturing Process
- Material Selection: High-quality steel is chosen for its mechanical strength, often subjected to testing for tensile strength and hardness.
- Shaping (Hot Rolling/Forging): Steel is heated and rolled or forged into the specific fish plate profile. Forging is used for higher-strength requirements.
- Machining: Bolt holes are drilled or punched to precise dimensions, and edges are finished to ensure proper fit.
- Heat Treatment: The plates undergo quenching and tempering (hardening) to increase wear resistance and service life.
- Quality Control & Finishing: Final inspections check for dimensional accuracy and defects, followed by anti-corrosive coating.
Materials Used
- Carbon Steel: Q235, Q345, 45#, 50#, 55Q, 71Mn, or 75V are common, selected based on the required strength and type of rail.
- Alloy Steel: Used for higher stress applications.
- Nodular Cast Iron: Sometimes used for specific types.
- Specialized Materials: For insulated joints, high-strength composites or steel with insulation layers are used.
| 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. |
| Alloy Steel | 42CrMo (GB/T 3077) | C: 0.38-0.45 Si: 0.17-0.37 Mn: 0.50-0.80 Cr: 0.90-1.20 Mo: 0.15-0.25 P: ≤0.035 S: ≤0.035 |
High-strength, high-toughness alloy for severe service. Similar to AISI 4140/4142. |
| Spheroidal Graphite Cast Iron | QT450-10 (GB/T 1348) | C: 3.60-3.90 Si: 2.00-3.00 Mn: ≤0.50 P: ≤0.07 S: ≤0.015 Mg: 0.03-0.06 (Nodulizer) |
Used in some traditional/joint kits for its castability and damping properties. Similar to EN-GJS-450-10. |
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.
Hot Fish Plate from GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY:
| Standard | Type | Length/Diameter | Weight /Material | |
| AREMA 2007 | 115RE | 4 hole-24" | 17.04Kg | 45# chemical |
| 115RE | 6 hole-36" | 25.56Kg | composition(%): | |
| 132-136RE | 4 hole-24" | 17.75Kg | C: 0.42-0.50 | |
| 132-136RE | 6 hole-36" | 26.63Kg | Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |
| UIC864 | UIC60 | 4 hole-630/Φ26 | 18.07Kg | Si: 0.17-0.37 |
| UIC60 | 4 hole-600/Φ28 | 17.47Kg | Cr: ≤0.25 | |
| UIC60 | 4 hole-630/Φ25 | 18.1Kg | P: ≤0.035 | |
| UIC54 | 4 hole | 14.34Kg | S: ≤0.035 | |
| UIC54 | 6 hole-800 | 19.94Kg | ||
| BS 47-1 | BS75R | 4 hole | 6.56Kg | |
| BS60A | 4 hole | 5.61Kg | ||
| BS80A | 4 hole | 6.5Kg | ||
| BS90A | 685.8/Φ26 | 13.23Kg | 50# chemical | |
| BS90A | 792.9/Φ26.2 | 15.34Kg | composition(%): | |
| BS100A | 4 hole | C: 0.62-0.70 | ||
| 90/91LB | 4 hole | 18.08Kg | Mn: 0.50-0.80 | |
| 90/91LB | 6 hole | 19.9Kg | Si: 0.17-0.37 | |
| AS | 50kg | 4 hole | 14.3Kg | Cr: ≤0.25 |
| 50kg | 6 hole | 19.5Kg | P: ≤0.035 | |
| S49 | 4 hole | 9.71Kg | S: ≤0.035 | |
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.