STANDARDS

AS 1085.2
Railway Track Material
Part 2: Fishplates
 AS 1085.2:2024
Railway Track Material Part 2: Fishplates

Notice to users
This RISSB product has been developed using input from rail experts from across the rail industry
and represents good practice for the industry. The reliance upon or manner of use of this RISSB
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The Infrastructure Standing Committee verified that RISSB’s accredited process was followed in
developing the product, before the RISSB Board approved the document for publication.
RISSB wishes to acknowledge the positive contribution of subject matter experts in the
development of this Standard. Their efforts ranged from membership of the Development Group
through to individuals providing comments on a draft of the Standard during the open review.

I commend this Standard to the Australasian rail industry as it represents industry good practice
and has been developed through a rigorous process.

Damien White
Chief Executive Officer
Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board

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 AS 1085.2:2024
Railway Track Material Part 2: Fishplates

Document details
First published as: AS E23—1928
ISBN: 978 1 76139 917 6

Document history
Publication Version Effective Date Reason for and Extent of Change(s)

2024 10 December 2024 This document has been reviewed to ensure it

remains relevant and applicable. The latest review
assessed the content, confirming that while updates
were made to align with current industry practices,
technologies, and regulatory requirements, the
original authorship and copyright have been
acknowledged as required.

Approval
Name Date

Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board 25 November 2024

Copyright
© RISSB
All rights are reserved. No part of this work can be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without the written permission of RISSB, unless
otherwise permitted under the Copyright Act 1968.
Published by the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board, PO Box 518 Spring Hill Qld 4004, Australia.

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 AS 1085.2:2024
Railway Track Material Part 2: Fishplates

Preface
This standard was prepared by the Railway Track Material Part 2: Fishplates Development Group,
overseen by the RISSB Infrastructure Standing Committee.

Objective
The objective of this Standard is to provide purchasers and suppliers, including owners,
operators, designers and manufacturers of railway rail with requirements for fishplates for use
with rails in accordance with AS 1085.1 in railway track.
Changes to the previous edition are as follows:
(a) Change of title of the AS 1085 series (previously Railway permanent way
material).
(b) The referenced documents list has been revised.
(c) Reference to the withdrawn Standards AS 1213 and K1 have been removed.
(d) The most recent version of the informative Appendix ‘Means of demonstrating
compliance with this Standard’ has been included.

Compliance
There are four types of provisions contained within Australian Standards developed by RISSB:
(a) Requirements.
(b) Recommendations.
(c) Permissions.
(d) Constraints.
Requirements – it is mandatory to follow all requirements to claim full compliance with the Standard.
Requirements are identified within the text by the term ‘shall’.
Recommendations – do not mention or exclude other possibilities but do offer the one that is preferred.
Recommendations are identified within the text by the term ‘should’.
Recommendations recognize that there could be limitations to the universal application of the control,
i.e. the identified control is not able to be applied or other controls are more appropriate or better.
Permissions – conveys consent by providing an allowable option. Permissions are identified within the
text by the term ‘may’.
Constraints – provided by an external source such as legislation. Constraints are identified within the
text by the term ‘must’.
For compliance purposes, where a recommended control is not applied as written in the standard it
could be incumbent on the adopter of the standard to demonstrate their actual method of controlling
the risk as part of their WHS or Rail Safety National Law obligations. Similarly, it could also be incumbent
on an adopter of the standard to demonstrate their method of controlling the risk to contracting entities
or interfacing organisations where the risk may be shared.
Appendices in RISSB Standards may be designated either “normative” or “informative”. A "normative"
appendix is an integral part of a Standard and compliance with it is a requirement, whereas an
"informative" appendix is only for information and guidance.

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Table of Contents
Section 1 Scope and general ............................................................................................ 6
1.1 Scope ................................................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Normative references ......................................................................................................... 6
1.3 Defined terms and abbreviations........................................................................................ 6
Section 2 Designation.................................................................................................... 11
Section 3 Steel-making process ..................................................................................... 11
Section 4 Brands ........................................................................................................... 11
Section 5 Chemical composition .................................................................................... 11
5.1 General .............................................................................................................................. 11
5.2 Cast analysis ...................................................................................................................... 11
5.3 Composition ...................................................................................................................... 12
Section 6 Holes for fishbolts .......................................................................................... 12
Section 7 Finish ............................................................................................................. 12
Section 8 Tolerances on section and dimensions............................................................ 12
8.1 Section ............................................................................................................................... 12
8.2 Dimensions ........................................................................................................................ 12
Section 9 Calculated mass per pair of fishplates............................................................. 12
Section 10 Mechanical properties ................................................................................... 12
Section 11 Tensile strength ............................................................................................. 13
11.1 General .............................................................................................................................. 13
11.2 Tensile test pieces ............................................................................................................. 14
Section 12 Retests........................................................................................................... 14
Section 13 Rounding of numbers ..................................................................................... 14
Appendix A Information to be supplied the by purchaser (Informative) ............................. 15
Appendix B Fishplate profiles, section properties and punching details (Normative).......... 16
B.1 Scope ................................................................................................................................. 16
Appendix C Demonstrating compliance with this standard (Informative).......................... 23
C.1 Scope ................................................................................................................................. 23
C.2 Statistical sampling............................................................................................................ 23
C.3 Product certification.......................................................................................................... 23
C.4 Supplier’s quality management system ............................................................................ 23
C.5 Other means of assessment .............................................................................................. 24

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Figures
Appendix Figure B.1-1 Section and punching details of bar-type (rolled) fishplate for 31 kg/m rail. ........ 16
Appendix Figure B.1-2 Section and punching details of bar-type (rolled) fishplate for 41 kg/m and 47
kg/m rail ...................................................................................................................................................... 17
Appendix Figure B.1-3 Section and punching details of bar-type (rolled) fishplate for 50 kg/m rail ......... 18
Appendix Figure B.1-4 Section and punching details of bar-type (forged) fishplate for 50 kg/m rail........ 19
Appendix Figure B.1-5 Section and punching details of bar-type (rolled) fishplate for 53 kg/m rail ......... 20
Appendix Figure B.1-6 Section and punching details of bar-type (rolled) fishplate for 60 kg/m rail ......... 21
Appendix Figure B.1-7 Section and punching details of bar-type (forged) fishplate for 60 kg/m rail........ 22

Tables
Table 5-1 Chemical Composition (Cast Analysis) ........................................................................................ 12
Table 11-1 Dimensional Tolerances ............................................................................................................ 13
Table 11-2 Calculated Mass Per Pair of Fishplates (Unpunched) ............................................................... 13
Table 11-3 Mechanical Properties .............................................................................................................. 14

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Section 1 Scope and general

1.1 Scope
This Standard specifies requirements for bar-type steel fishplates for use in conjunction with steel rails
rolled in accordance with AS 1085.1.

1.2 Normative references

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document:
• AS 1085, Railway Track Material
• AS 1085.1, Railway track material, Part 1: Steel rails
• AS 1199, Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes
• AS 1391, Methods for tensile testing of metals
• AS 1399, Guide to AS 1199 - Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by
attributes
• AS 1442, Carbon steels and carbon-manganese steels - Hot-rolled bars and
semifinished products
• AS 1448, Carbon steels and carbon-manganese steels - Forgings (ruling section
300 mm maximum)
• AS 2706, Numerical values - Rounding and interpretation of limiting values
• AS 4291, Mechanical properties of fasteners made of carbon steel and alloy steel
• AS 4291.1, Mechanical properties of fasteners made of carbon steel and alloy
steel, Part 1: Bolts, screws and studs
• AS/NZS 1050, Methods for the analysis of iron and steel (all methods)
• ISO 9001, Quality management systems - Requirements
• ISO 9004, Quality management systems - Guidelines for performance
improvements
• SAI HB 18, Guidelines for third-party certification and accreditation
• HB 18 28, Guide 28 - General rules for a model third-party certification scheme for
products
NOTE:
Documents for informative purposes are listed in a Bibliography at the back of the Standard.

1.3 Defined terms and abbreviations

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply:
1.3.1
acceptable quality levels (AQLs)
defined quality thresholds used in quality assurance
1.3.2
anchor
device used to secure the rail to the sleeper, preventing movement

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1.3.3
audit
systematic examination of a quality management system
1.3.4
bearing area
the area of the anchor that bears uniformly on the side of the sleeper
1.3.5
branding
distinct marking on each spike or fishplate indicating type and manufacturer
1.3.6
coating
lead-free and chromate-free paint applied to spikes
1.3.7
compliance
adherence to the requirements specified in the standard
1.3.8
crack detection test
test to ensure spikes are free of cracks
1.3.9
decarburization
reduction of carbon content on the spike surface
1.3.10
designation
classification of spikes and fishplates according to type and standard number
1.3.11
dimensional tolerance
allowable deviation from specified dimensions of spikes or fishplates
1.3.12
elongation
measure of ductility, represented as the percentage increase in length before breaking
1.3.13
fatigue
weakening of material due to repeated stress
1.3.14
finish
surface condition of spikes and fishplates free from defects
1.3.15
fishbolt
bolt used to fasten fishplates to rails
1.3.16
fishplate
metal bar bolted to the ends of two rails to join them together in a track
1.3.17
function
purpose of spring fastening spikes in securing sleeper plates

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1.3.18
gauge length
length of the test specimen used in tensile testing
1.3.19
hardness test
test to measure the hardness of spikes
1.3.20
hazard register
list of potential hazards related to the product
1.3.21
heat treatment
process of quenching and tempering to strengthen spikes or fishplates
1.3.22
inspection
examination of spikes or fishplates to ensure they meet specified requirements
1.3.23
marking
labelling of each spike or fishplate with type and manufacturer information
1.3.24
material
steel composition used for manufacturing spikes or fishplates
1.3.25
mechanical properties
characteristics of the material, including tensile strength and elongation
1.3.26
microstructure
internal structure of the spike, with at least 75% tempered martensite
1.3.27
nominal rail size
designated size of the rail for which the spike or fishplate is intended
1.3.28
packing requirements
specifications for packaging spikes or fishplates
1.3.29
preload
initial force applied to allow the anchor to take its initial set
1.3.30
production certification
independent assurance that products comply with the standard
1.3.31
purchaser
entity buying the spring fastening spikes or fishplates
1.3.32
quality assurance system
system ensuring products meet quality standards

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1.3.33
quenching
rapid cooling process used during heat treatment
1.3.34
rail anchor
device used to secure rails to sleepers
1.3.35
roughness, burrs, notches, seams
surface defects to be avoided on spikes or fishplates
1.3.36
rounding method
procedure for assessing compliance by rounding numbers as specified
1.3.37
sampling plan
strategy for selecting samples for testing
1.3.38
shear forces
forces causing layers to slide against each other
1.3.39
skewed sleepers
sleepers that are not perpendicular to the rails, causing torsional force
1.3.40
sleeper
support for the rails in railway tracks, typically made of wood or concrete
1.3.41
spring fastening spikes
spikes used to secure sleeper plates to timber sleepers
1.3.42
statistical sampling
procedure for quality assessment based on sample testing
1.3.43
surface defects
imperfections on the surface of spikes or fishplates
1.3.44
tempered martensite
strengthened structure of the spike after heat treatment
1.3.45
tensile strength
maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched or pulled
1.3.46
tensile test
test to determine the tensile strength and ductility of a material
1.3.47
tolerances
permissible limits of variation in dimensions

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1.3.48
torsional force
twisting force exerted by skewed sleepers
1.3.49
withdrawal forces
forces attempting to pull the spike out from the sleeper

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Section 2 Designation
Fishplates shall be designated by the number of this Australian Standard and the nominal rail size.
Example: Fishplate in accordance with AS 1085.2 for 50 kg rail.

Section 3 Steel-making process

The steel used for the manufacture of the fishplates shall comply with AS 1442 or AS 1448 and shall
meet all the requirements of this Standard.

Section 4 Brands
Each fishplate shall be branded with figures denoting the mass per metre of rails for which it is intended,
and a mark to identify the manufacturer and the year in which it was rolled or forged, e.g., 50XXX03.
The letters and figures shall be rolled or forged on the outside surface of the fishplate and shall be raised
a minimum of 0.5 mm from the plane surface of the fishplate.
The year of manufacture shall be used for the purpose of identification only. The year of manufacture
should not be used as a basis for rejection of the fishplates.
Manufacturers making a statement of compliance with this Australian Standard on a product, packaging,
or promotional material related to that product are advised to ensure that such compliance is capable of
being verified.

Section 5 Chemical composition

5.1 General
The chemical composition shall be determined by cast analysis.
Sampling, preparation and testing shall be by any procedures that are not less accurate than those in
AS/NZS 1050.

5.2 Cast analysis

Separate analyses shall be made from samples representing ingots from the first one-third of the heat
and ingots from the last one-third of the heat, or one sample from each ladle of the heat if the heat is
continuously cast.

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5.3 Composition
The cast analysis of the steel as per Clause 5.2 shall conform to the limits of chemical composition given
in Table 5-1.

Table 5-1 Chemical Composition (Cast Analysis)

Analysis, %

Carbon Silicon Manganese Phosphorus Sulfur

Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max
0.35 0.55 - 0.35 0.55 1.00 - 0.05 - 0.05

Section 6 Holes for fishbolts

The holes for fishbolts shall be drilled or punched and shall be to the centres and dimensions shown in
the appropriate drawing in Appendix B, subject to the tolerances given in Table 11-1.
NOTE: This requirement does not preclude the negotiation between the manufacturer and purchaser of
dimensions and tolerances of holes and hole centres other than those specified in this Standard.

Section 7 Finish
Fishplates shall be free from defects that are detrimental to their end use. Localized areas of
deformation caused by shearing or punching and conforming to the tolerance limits given in Table 11-1
shall be permitted.

Section 8 Tolerances on section and dimensions

8.1 Section
The section shall conform to the appropriate profile given in Appendix B.
A variation of 2.0 mm horizontally outwards shall be permitted if a fishplate template is placed on the
rolled bar or forging.
The section shall not vary horizontally outwards by more than 2.0 mm from the nominal position.

8.2 Dimensions
Fishplates shall conform to the dimensions indicated for the appropriate profile given in Appendix B,
subject to the tolerances given in Table 11-1.

Section 9 Calculated mass per pair of fishplates

Calculated mass values per pair of fishplates (unpunched) are set out in Table 11-2.
NOTE: These are theoretical values based on nominal dimensions.

Section 10 Mechanical properties

The mechanical properties of test pieces sampled and tested in accordance with Clause 11 shall comply
with the limits given in Table 11-3.

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Section 11 Tensile strength

11.1 General
Samples for tensile testing shall be selected from any two fishplates or fishplate bars representative of
each heat of steel.
It shall be permissible to discard a test piece that shows defective rolling, forging or develops flaws, and
to submit another test piece.

Table 11-1 Dimensional Tolerances

Characteristics Tolerances, mm

Length ±3.0
Thickness +3.0, -0.5
Size of hole ±1.0
Position of holes ±1.0
Localized areas of deformation on the fishing +0.5, -1.0
surfaces
Rail web height of fishing surface +0.5, -1.5 (41/47 kg/m and 53 kg/m only)
All other dimensions ±1.0
Camber Fishplates ≤650 long Fishplates >650 long
Centre upwards 1.0 2.0
Centre downwards 1.0 2.0
Centre outwards from rail 1.0 2.0
Centre inwards from rail 1.0 2.0

Table 11-2 Calculated Mass Per Pair of Fishplates (Unpunched)

Nominal rail size Mass, kg

Kg/m 4-hole 6-hole

31 14.5 21.8
41, 47 22.6 33.8
50 - 34.4
53 23.7 35.5
60 - 39.7

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Table 11-3 Mechanical Properties

Property Value

Tensile strength, MPa 550 to 740

Elongation on 5.65√𝑆𝑆𝑜𝑜 ∗, % 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 13

*Gauge length as defined in AS/NZS 4291.1

11.2 Tensile test pieces

Test pieces shall be circular-section proportional test pieces of 150 mm2 cross-sectional area, prepared
and tested in accordance with AS 1391.
If a test piece breaks outside the middle third of its gauge length, resulting in an elongation below the
specified value, the test may, at the manufacturer’s option, be discarded and another test piece made
from the same test sample.

Section 12 Retests
If either of the test pieces fail to comply with the specified requirements, two further samples shall be
taken and tested in accordance with this Standard.
If the test pieces from both of these further samples pass, the parcel shall be deemed to comply with
this Standard.
If either of the additional test pieces fails, the parcel shall be deemed not to comply with this Standard.

Section 13 Rounding of numbers

For the purpose of assessing compliance with this Standard, the specified limiting values herein shall be
interpreted in accordance with the ‘rounding method’ described in AS 2706. The observed or calculated
value shall be rounded to the same number of figures as in the specified or calculated value and then
compared with the specified limiting values. For example, for specified limiting values of 2.5, 2.50 and
2.500, the observed or calculated value would be rounded respectively to the nearest 0.1, 0.01 and
0.001.

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Appendix A Information to be supplied the by purchaser (Informative)

The following information should be supplied by the purchaser:
(a) Designation of the fishplate as per Clause 2 including the number of this
Australian Standard, i.e. AS 1085.2.
(b) The nominal rail size (e.g., 50 kg) with which the fishplates are intended to be
used or the number of the appropriate drawing, or both.
(c) Quantity measured as either mass or number of pairs.
(d) The number and diameter of holes.
(e) Whether a test certificate is required.
(f) Whether it is the intention of the purchaser to inspect the material at the
manufacturer’s works.
(g) Any exceptions to the requirements specified, and any special or supplementary
requirements.

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Appendix B Fishplate profiles, section properties and punching details

(Normative)

B.1 Scope
This Appendix provides profile details, section properties and punching details for rolled and forged bar-
type fishplates.

Appendix Figure B.1-1 Section and punching details of bar-type (rolled) fishplate for 31 kg/m rail.
Dimension in millimetres.

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Appendix Figure B.1-2 Section and punching details of bar-type (rolled) fishplate for 41 kg/m and 47
kg/m rail
Dimension in millimetres.

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Appendix Figure B.1-3 Section and punching details of bar-type (rolled) fishplate for 50 kg/m rail
Dimension in millimetres.

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Appendix Figure B.1-4 Section and punching details of bar-type (forged) fishplate for 50 kg/m rail
Dimension in millimetres.

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Appendix Figure B.1-5 Section and punching details of bar-type (rolled) fishplate for 53 kg/m rail
Dimension in millimetres.

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Appendix Figure B.1-6 Section and punching details of bar-type (rolled) fishplate for 60 kg/m rail
Dimension in millimetres.

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Appendix Figure B.1-7 Section and punching details of bar-type (forged) fishplate for 60 kg/m rail
Dimension in millimetres.

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Appendix C Demonstrating compliance with this standard (Informative)

C.1 Scope
This Appendix sets out the following different means by which compliance with this Standard can be
demonstrated by the manufacturer or supplier:
(a) Evaluation by means of statistical sampling.
(b) The use of a product certification scheme.
(c) Assurance using the acceptability of the supplier’s quality system.
(d) Other such means proposed by the manufacturer or supplier and acceptable to
the customer.

C.2 Statistical sampling

Statistical sampling is a procedure which enables decisions to be made about the quality of batches of
items after inspecting or testing only a portion of those items. This procedure will only be valid if the
sampling plan has been determined on a statistical basis and the following requirements are met:
(a) The sample needs to be drawn randomly from a population of product of known
history. The history needs to enable verification that the product was made from
known materials at essentially the same time, by essentially the same processes
and under essentially the same system of control.
(b) For each different situation, a suitable sampling plan needs to be defined. A
sampling plan for one manufacturer of given capability and product throughput
might not be relevant to another manufacturer producing the same items.
In order for statistical sampling to be meaningful to the customer, the manufacturer or supplier needs to
demonstrate how the above conditions have been satisfied. Sampling and the establishment of a
sampling plan should be carried out in accordance with AS 1199, guidance to which is given in AS 1399.

C.3 Product certification

The purpose of product certification is to provide independent assurance of the claim by the
manufacturer that products comply with the stated Standard.
The certification scheme should meet the criteria described in HB 18.28 in that, as well as full type
testing from independently sampled production and subsequent verification of conformance, it requires
the manufacturer to maintain effective quality planning to control production.
The certification scheme serves to indicate that the products consistently conform to the requirements
of the Standard.

C.4 Supplier’s quality management system

Where the manufacturer or supplier can demonstrate an audited and registered quality management
system complying with the requirements of the appropriate or stipulated Australian or international
Standard for a supplier’s quality management system or systems, this could provide the necessary
confidence that the specified requirements will be met. The quality assurance requirements need to be
agreed between the customer and supplier and should include a quality or inspection and test plan to
ensure product conformity.
Information on establishing a quality management system is set out in AS/NZS ISO 9001 and AS/NZS ISO
9004.

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C.5 Other means of assessment

If the above methods are considered inappropriate, compliance with the requirements of this Standard
may be assessed from the results of testing coupled with the manufacturer’s guarantee of product
conformance.
Irrespective of acceptable quality levels (AQLs) or test frequencies, the responsibility remains with the
manufacturer or supplier to supply products that conform to the full requirements of the Standard.

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ISBN: 978 1 76139 917 6