The rail elastic clips (also called rail clip, elastic rail clip )are used with railway sleeper to fasten rails on both sides. The rail clips are usually made of forged spring steel, which are manufactured by hot forging process. The forged rail clips are considered to be better than other metal forming process due to most uniform microstructure.
E-clip optimizes load-bearing capacity and integrates vibration damping, minimizing track settlement and maintenance frequency while delivering track stability under extreme conditions.
| Name | E-type rail clip |
| Material | 60Si2MnA 60Si2CrA 55Si2Mn 38Si7 |
| Hardness | 44-48HRC |
| Fatigue Life | for Dia.18 is 3 millions cycles without breaking |
| for Dia.20 is 5 millions cycles without breaking | |
| Surface | plain (oiled), Oxide black, color painting or according to customer requirement |
| Standard | DIN17221, BS970, GB/T1222 |
What's the deformation limit of E rail elastic clip?
The deformation limit for an E-rail clip isn't a single fixed number but a range where it maintains elastic behavior; typically, it can handle deflections up to about 16.7 mm without permanent set, offering a safety margin beyond its design deflection (around 13.5 mm for some clips), though excessive deflection (like 14mm) drastically cuts fatigue life, leading to failure, while proper installation within 10-12mm is crucial.
Key Deformation Points:
- Design Deflection: Around 13.5 mm , providing a specific toe load.
- Elastic Limit (No Permanent Set): Up to approximately 16.7 mm for some clips, allowing for accidental stresses.
- Critical Zone (Fatigue): Deflections near or above 14 mm significantly reduce fatigue life, with field data showing fractures can start quickly at this level.
- Recommended Installation: 10-12 mm deflection for optimal performance and longevity.
Why it Matters:
- Fatigue Life: Higher deflections (e.g., 14mm) cause increased cyclic stress, leading to rapid failure, as seen in subway systems where clips cracked within months.
- Load Capacity: Proper deflection ensures the clip provides sufficient toe load to hold the rail securely.
- Malposition: Under- or over-deformation (e.g., adding or subtracting 2mm from normal installation) drastically affects performance and shortens life.
What is the working principle of e-railway clip?
An e-railway clip (elastic rail clip) works by using its inherent spring force from bent, high-strength steel to clamp rails to sleepers, providing constant tension (toe load) that prevents horizontal/vertical rail movement and creep, while absorbing vibrations and impacts from passing trains to maintain gauge and ensure safe, stable tracks. It achieves this through bending, torsion, and elastic deformation under repeated stress, acting as a crucial elastic link in the track fastening system.
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.