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).
| Application |
UIC54 |
UIC60 |
115RE, 50kg rail, 60kg rail, BS80lbs, BS100lbs, ect. |
| 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:≤0.5
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 |
| Yield Strength |
≥320 Mpa |
≥310 Mpa |
≥250 Mpa |
| Elongation(%) |
≥7 |
≥10 |
≥15 |
| Hardness |
170~230HB |
160~210HB |
130~180HB |
Types of Rail Shoulder Produced
The Rail shoulder is 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 Single Stem Iron Shoulder used in pre-stressed concrete ties and the other is Twin Stem Iron Shoulder used in Bi-Block or Twin Block concrete ties.
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 |
Weld-on Rail Shoulder
The weld-on shoulder is used at the typical position of rail where the rail shoulder is weld on flat steel plate rather than the standard tie plate. The weld-on shoulder production method is hot forging, it is fabricated according to AREA standard. The steel material type for weld-on shoulders production can be low or medium carbon steel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the primary function of a rail shoulder?
Rail shoulders are cast into concrete rail ties to secure elastic rail clips, which in turn fasten the rail to the sleepers.
What are the differences between cast-in and weld-on shoulders?
Cast-in shoulders are embedded directly into concrete sleepers during manufacturing, while weld-on shoulders are welded onto flat steel plates or longer length steel sleeper sections.
Which materials are commonly used for cast-in rail shoulders?
They are typically made from cast iron grades such as QT500-7, QT450-10, and QT400-15, following international standards like GB, ISO, and DIN.
In what applications are weld-on shoulders preferred?
Weld-on shoulders are often used in switch and crossing layouts where vertical rail geometry is required, offering a cost-effective solution for specific layout designs.
What is the tensile strength of the QT500-7 material?
The QT500-7 (GGG50) material features a tensile strength of ≥500 Mpa and a yield strength of ≥320 Mpa.
Are custom rail shoulders available?
Yes, rail shoulders can be customized based on specific requirements, including material type and technical specifications.
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