Railway Fishplate for S49 Rail

A railway fishplate for S49 rail is a precisely engineered metal bar used to bolt the ends of two S49 rail sections together, ensuring structural integrity and a smooth transition for train wheels. These components are crucial for track safety and continuity and come in specific configurations and materials. 

Technical Specifications

S49 fishplates are designed to match the specific profile of S49 steel rail (which corresponds to the 49E1 European standard, with a nominal weight of approximately 49.39 kg/m). 

• Material: High-quality carbon steel grades(45#, 55#, or Q235B).

• Design: The top and bottom edges are tapered to wedge securely between the rail head and base, which provides a tight fit and reduces impact from passing wheels.

• Hole Configuration: Commonly available in 4-hole or 6-hole variants, which determines the number of high-strength fish bolts used for installation.

• Weight & Length: A typical 4-hole S49 joint bar weighs around 9.71 kg and can have lengths range from 580mm or 820mm.

• Standards: Manufactured to comply with international standards DIN 5901, EN 13674-4, or other relevant European standards. 

Function and Application

The primary function of the S49 fishplate is to connect two adjacent rail ends in both horizontal and vertical planes, transferring the load from one rail to the next and accommodating thermal expansion and contraction. 

• Safety: High-quality fishplates significantly reduce the impact of wheels on the joint section, increasing the overall stability and safety of the track.

• Versatility: Used across various rail systems, including urban transit, heavy haul freight lines, mining operations, and crane tracks.

• Types: Beyond standard fishplates, specialized versions like joggled fishplates are used for temporary emergency repairs of cracked welded joints, allowing reduced-speed movement through the section. Insulated fishplates made from non-conductive materials are also used in electrified sections to create electrical breaks for signal systems. 

Production Process

1. Raw Material Preparation

The process begins with the selection of high-quality steel billets or blooms. Standard materials include carbon steel grades like 45# or 55#, and microalloyed steels for enhanced durability. 

2. Heating and Hot Rolling

Heating: Billets are soaked in a furnace (typically a walking beam furnace) at temperatures above 950°C to make the metal malleable for shaping.

Rolling: The heated steel passes through a series of rolling mills—either groove or universal rolling—to achieve the specific profile required to fit between the rail head and base. 

3. Cutting and Shaping

Cutting to Length: The long, rolled sections are sawed or sheared into individual fishplate blanks.

Forging (Optional): For specialized shapes, such as compromise joints used to connect rails of different sizes, blanks undergo forging using hammers or presses to achieve the final dimension. 

4. Machining (Hole Creation)

Precision machining is used to create bolt holes. 

Drilling: Modern industry standards favor drilling over punching to avoid stress concentrations and internal micro-cracks that could lead to early failure.

Accuracy: High-accuracy carbide machines ensure that hole spacing and diameters perfectly align with the rail web. 

5. Heat Treatment

To achieve the necessary hardness and wear resistance:

Normalizing: Components are often normalized at 830–860°C and air-cooled to refine grain structure.

Quenching and Tempering: Some bars are rapidly cooled (quenched) and then reheated (tempered) to balance strength and toughness. 

6. Finishing and Quality Control

Finishing: The plates are cleaned, polished, and often coated with protective oils or anti-corrosion treatments.

Inspection: Manufacturers use ultrasonic, eddy current, and laser testing to check for surface defects or internal cracks. Destructive tests, like the bend test, are performed on samples from each lot to ensure they meet structural requirements. 

We offer valued railway fastening components(including S-49 railway fishplate) with high quality and competitive price. We comply with customer requirements. You can rest assure of the quality. We accept 3rd part inspection consigned by the client before shipment.