A rail pad is inserted in between the rail and baseplate or sleeper. Rail pad is introduced to the railway fastening system because of its resilience or viscoelasticity which can be implemented in the intervention of fatigue cracking of sleepers. The dynamic stress from the wheel or rail impact from both regular and irregular movements is attenuated.
Material Composition and Design of railway pad
Typically composed of resilient materials such as rubber or polyurethane, rail pads are designed with specific properties to optimize railway functionality. These materials offer a perfect balance between durability and flexibility, allowing rail pads to absorb shock loads while maintaining dimensional stability, even in harsh environments. The design incorporates features such as grooves or ribs that enhance grip and stability, contributing to the overall performance of rail systems.
| Raw Material | Rubber, EVA, TPEE, HDPE |
| Standard | UIC, AREMA, TB/T2626-95 |
| Application | 43kg/m, 50kg/m, 60kg/m, 75kg/m,115RE, UIC54, UIC60, S49 |
| Model number | 43-7-7, 43-10-7, 50-7-9, 50-10-9, 60-10-17, 60-12-17 |
| Operating temperature | -50~70 degrees |
| Certificate | MSDS, ROHS, REACH |
| Notes | They should be stored in a clean, ventilated place. Don't be in direct sunlight, and keep away from the heat source and chemical reagent. Don't touch the oil, organic solvent, and other chemicals. Banned exposure. |
How are rail pads matched to different rail profiles?
Rail pads are matched to specific rail profiles (like UIC60, 115RE) by ensuring geometric compatibility, meaning the pad's shape and dimensions, especially the rail foot contact area, precisely fit the rail's base, working with the specific fastener system (E-Clip, SKL) to achieve correct toe load, absorbing vibration, and protecting the sleeper from wear and tear.
Key Matching Factors:
- Rail Foot Dimensions (Profile): The pad must match the exact width and contour of the rail's foot (base). A pad too narrow exposes the sleeper to abrasion; one too wide interferes with clips.
- Fastening System: Different clips (E-Clip, SKL, Nabla) need pads with specific designs, including locating tabs or horns, for proper installation and secure clamping force (toe load).
- Sleeper Type: Pads for concrete sleepers differ from those for timber or steel sleepers, with designs accommodating various fastening systems and load distribution needs.
- Application: Pads for high-speed lines (ballastless) have different requirements than heavy-haul crane rails or standard ballasted tracks, influencing material and stiffness.
How to choose the right elastic rail pad?
To choose the right elastic rail pad, match its stiffness, thickness, and material to your track's load (heavy haul vs. urban), speed (high-speed needs more robust), and environment (temperature/moisture), focusing on compatibility with your rail fastening system (like E-clip) for optimal vibration dampening, noise reduction, and protection against rail wear and fatigue.
As a professional rail fastener manufacturer, GNEE RAIL can produce various types of rubber rail pads with different materials, such as natural rubber, EVA, HDPE and so on. In railway fastening system, rubber rail pads are often installed between the rail tracks and the concrete railway sleepers.