Elastic Rail Clip Introduction

As an important part of the E-clip Fastening System, elastic rail clips are used with concrete railway sleepers to fasten rails on both sides. The rail clips are usually made of forged spring steel, which is manufactured by the hot forging process. The forged elastic rail clips are considered to be better than other metal forming processes due to most uniform microstructure.

There are several types of Railway Fasteners. Elastic rail clips are in a category called elastic fasteners. They can be engaged in line with the rail in E-clip fastening, or called fast clip fastening system. Both serve very well in attaching the rail track to the base plate and most importantly controlling those longitudinal forces. In this article, we will give you a detailed introduction to Elastic rail clips.

Technical requirements of the elastic clip fastening system

An ideal elastic fastening system should be able to meet the following requirements:

Elastic clip fastening system should provide sufficient elasticity to absorb the vibrations and shocks caused by moving loads.

Elastic clip fastening should have adequate toe load which should not reduce under service.

Elastic clip fastening should be of “fit and forget” type to require the least maintenance.

Elastic clip fastening should be of the type that it can be used and reused without losing its properties.

Elastic clip fastening should have as few parts as possible, which are easy to be manufactured, laid and maintained.

Elastic clip fastening should be of the type that it cannot be taken out and as such is free from sabotage or theft.

Elastic clip fastening should be of the universal type so that it can be used on wooden, steel or concrete sleepers.

The last and most important point is elastic clip fastening should be cheap and have a long service life.