Insulated rail joints
Fail-safe operation with composite insulated rail joints
Train traffic delays often occur due to signal failures, causing issues not only for maintenance but, more importantly, for passengers. Our glass fiber composite insulated rail joints offer the highest possible electrical insulation properties and are practically fail-safe due to their design and materials. With exceptional mechanical strength and fatigue resistance, along with resistance to environmental effects like UV radiation, heat, moisture, and impurities, they are an ideal solution for both continuous welded rail (CWR) and jointed tracks. The rail joint design is simple, using a minimal number of parts. This allows for easy and fast installation without the need for handling chemicals, detergents, or welding.
Why choose composite joints? Benefits of our insulated rail joints
- Fail-safe functionality: Our rail joints offer the highest electrical insulation properties, ensuring virtually fail-safe performance in railway signaling systems.
- Mechanical strength: Comparable to steel and wooden joints, our fishplates are robust and durable, capable of withstanding environmental factors such as UV radiation, heat, moisture, and impurities.
- Easy installation: The simple design with minimal parts allows for quick and hassle-free installation, eliminating the need for chemicals, welding, or detergents.
- Easy replacement: Simple and fast replacement of existing joints (special repair joints are also available).
- Cost savings: The efficient installation process and durable materials result in significant total cost savings over the product’s lifespan.
- No chemicals: Our rail joints require no glues or chemicals for installation of maintenance.
- Customization: We offer individual fishplates and endplates, as well as complete kits with metal fixing parts, all customizable to meet specific requirements.
- Global reliability for decades: Developed in the 1980s, our insulated rail joints have been installed thousands of times worldwide, proving their reliability in diverse climates from tropical to arctic.
- European standard EN16843 compliant: Our composite rail joints have been tested rigorously and have been certified according to the European standard EN16843.
Composites production expertise and performance
Combining our expertise as one of the leading composites manufacturers and supplier of high-quality composite solutions with a 40-year legacy in rail joint products, we have a deep understanding of the railway industry’s manufacturing requirements. Exel uses the highest quality materials in structures optimized for insulated rail joints. Both the materials and the structure are continuously monitored during production to ensure traceability. Our in-house developed manufacturing method meets the highest quality standards for rail joints and end posts with epoxy glass fiber solutions. Our products comply with the European Standard EN 16843:2024, guaranteeing mechanical reliability for running rails.
Exel Composites insulated rail joint offering
Our composite rail joint options
Standard joint, STD
Used for jointed tracks and areas with limited longitudinal loads, it frequently replaces plastic-coated steel fishplates, fishplates with plastic insulation liners, and wooden joints.
Joint for continuously welded rail, CWR
The design meets the requirements for continuously welded tracks, handling heavy traffic and extreme weather. Our CWR joints are a simpler, cost-effective alternative to glued joints, with installation taking just 20 minutes, including drilling.
Custom rail joint solutions
Custome solutions using our production methods are available. We're excited to collaborate with you to find the best options for your needs. For example, our emergency repair joints can be used for temporary fixes.
Exel Composites rail joints: Certified to European standard EN16843
Our glass fiber fish plate rail joints are certified under the new European standard EN16843. This standard, sets rigorous mechanical and electrical performance requirements for rail joints, ensuring they can withstand harsh conditions like UV radiation, moisture, and extreme temperatures.
By meeting these standards, our rail joints are recognized for their reliability and durability, making them suitable for diverse environments and modern railway systems across Europe and beyond. This certification underscores our commitment to quality and innovation in railway infrastructure and positions us as a reliable partner in developing markets where robust and standardized solutions are essential.