Product Description
Rail shoulder is cast in the concrete rail ties to fix the elastic rail clips. There are two types of rail shoulders available, the cast-in shoulder and the weld-on shoulder, both of which are used for the fixing of elastic rail clips.
The casting shoulders as the embedded part of the rail way fastening system are pressed in concrete sleeper and work together with the E clip to fasten the rail. The cast in shoulder is made by casting from iron, such as, GB/T 1348-1988, NF EN 1563(1997), ISO1038, DIN 1693, JIS G5502 (2001), KS D 4302, GOST 7293(1985) or BS EN 1563(1997).
| Specifications |
UIC54 |
UIC60 |
Other Standards |
| Application |
UIC54 |
UIC60 |
115RE, 50kg rail, 60kg rail, BS80lbs, BS100lbs, etc. |
| Material Name |
QT500-7 |
QT450-10 |
QT400-15 |
| Standard |
GB 1348-88 |
GB 1348-88 |
GB 1348-89 |
| Chemical Composition (%) |
C:3.60-3.80, Mn:0.2-0.5, Si:2.50-2.90, P:≤0.08, S:≤0.025 |
C:3.40-3.90, Mn:0.2-0.5, Si:2.70-3.00, P:≤0.07, S:≤0.03 |
C:3.50-3.60, Mn:≤0.5, Si:3.0-3.2, P:≤0.07, S:≤0.02 |
| Tensile Strength |
≥500 Mpa |
≥450 Mpa |
≥400 Mpa |
| Hardness |
170~230HB |
160~210HB |
130~180HB |
What Types of Rail Shoulder are Produced
The Rail shoulder is a semi-embedded part cast in the concrete rail ties to fix the elastic rail clip to the base plate. There are two common types of rail shoulders available: Cast-in Shoulder and Weld-on Shoulder. One is the Single Stem Iron Shoulder used in pre-stressed concrete ties, and the other is the Twin Stem Iron Shoulder used in Bi-Block or Twin Block concrete ties.
Cast-in Rail Shoulder
The casting shoulders as the embedded part of the rail way fastening system are pressed in concrete sleeper and work together with the E clip to fasten the rail. The cast in shoulder is made by casting from iron, such as, GB/T 1348-1988, NF EN 1563(1997), ISO1038, DIN 1693, JIS G5502 (2001), KS D 4302, GOST 7293(1985) or BS EN 1563(1997).
Cast-in Rail Shoulder Mechanical Property:
| Material |
Tensile Strength(Mpa) |
Yield Strength(Mpa) |
Elongation(%) |
| QT400-15(GGG40) |
400 |
250 |
15 |
| QT450-10(GGG45) |
450 |
310 |
10 |
| QT500-7 (GGG50) |
500 |
320 |
7 |
Cast-in Rail Shoulder Applications:
| Material |
Application |
| QT400-15(GGG40) |
115RE, 50kg rail, 60kg rail, BS80lbs, BS100lbs, etc. |
| QT450-10(GGG45) |
UIC60 |
| QT500-7 (GGG50) |
UIC54 |
Weld-on Rail Shoulder
The weld-on shoulder is used at typical positions where the rail shoulder is welded onto a flat steel plate rather than the standard tie plate. The production method is hot forging, fabricated according to AREA standards. The steel material type can be low or medium carbon steel.
The rail cast iron shoulders can be welded onto longer length steel sleeper sections or bearers for locations like switches and crossing layouts. This makes it particularly useful and cost-effective for specific layout designs.
FAQ - Rail Shoulder Technical Guidance
What is the primary function of a rail shoulder?
The rail shoulder is used to fix elastic rail clips to the base plate or concrete sleepers, ensuring the rail remains stable and aligned within the fastening system.
What are the main differences between cast-in and weld-on shoulders?
Cast-in shoulders are embedded directly into concrete sleepers during the casting process, while weld-on shoulders are forged and then welded onto steel plates or special sleeper sections.
Which materials are used for manufacturing cast-in rail shoulders?
They are typically made from ductile iron grades such as QT400-15, QT450-10, and QT500-7, complying with international standards like ISO1038 and DIN 1693.
Can rail shoulders be customized for specific rail types?
Yes, rail shoulders can be designed to accommodate various rail profiles including UIC54, UIC60, 115RE, and others used in different global railway standards.
What is the daily production capacity for these components?
The current production facility can produce up to 20,000 pieces per day, ensuring a steady supply for large-scale infrastructure projects.
Are weld-on shoulders suitable for switches and crossings?
Yes, weld-on shoulders are highly cost-effective and useful for switch and crossing layouts where specific rail geometry requires custom placement.