A rail pad, also called rail rubber plate, is designed between the rail tie plate and foot of the rail, made by an elastic polyurethane mat, which is interposed between steel rails and tie sleepers to protect the sleeper top from wearing and impacting. Its defined stiffness is used to increase the elasticity of the superstructure of the ballast and reduce shock and vibration in the rail system.
How do rail pads reduce track vibration and noise?
Rail pads reduce track vibration and noise by using elastic materials (like rubber/polymers) to absorb and dampen vibration energy, isolating the rail from sleepers, spreading loads, and preventing direct metal-on-metal contact, which stops sound waves and shaking from traveling through the track structure, making rides smoother and environments quieter.
Rail pad functions
A rail rubber pad is essential in reducing shock and vibration in a rail system. The pad laid under the rail to ensure:
- Load distribution over a larger surface
- Elimination of load concentration and the resultant fatigue stresses
- Centering of loads on the supporting element
- Absorption of uneven contact surfaces between rail and support
- Reduction of noise and vibration
- Sealing between the bottom of the rail and the top of the support
- Reduction of wear of the rail and its support
What are the components of a rail elastic pad?
A rail elastic pad is primarily made from resilient materials like rubber (natural, SBR, EPDM) or plastics (HDPE, EVA), often combined with fillers (fibers) or micro-foamed additives for enhanced strength and specific load-deflection properties, acting as a shock absorber and wear protector between the rail and sleeper. Its core components are the elastic body (rubber/plastic matrix) and sometimes integrated metal inserts for structural support, designed with specific stiffness via grooves or structures to manage vibration and distribute loads effectively.
GNEE RAIL have developed a range of high-performance elastic rail pads for stiffness requirements and various application areas-from trams through standard gauge railways to heavy haul lines, especially those for E-type rail fastening systems and SKL type rail fastening systems with material of HDPE/EVA/Rubber, with following properties respectively.
| 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. |
What factors affect the lifespan of a rail pad?
Rail pad lifespan is affected by mechanical stress (heavy/frequent traffic, impacts), environmental factors (extreme heat/cold, UV, humidity, chemicals like oil), material quality (rubber vs. composite), and maintenance, all leading to degradation like hardening, cracking, and loss of cushioning, necessitating regular inspection for timely replacement.
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.