Rail pads are elastic polyurethane mats which are interposed between steel rails and railway sleepers to protect the sleeper top from wearing and impacting.
How is the thickness of rail pads determined?
Rail pad thickness is determined by balancing vibration damping, load distribution, and track stability, depending on train speed, axle load, and line type (e.g., heavy haul needs thicker for load, high-speed needs thicker for comfort/damping), along with material properties, and environmental factors, with common thicknesses ranging from 5mm (heavy haul) to 12mm (high-speed) or more, using thinner pads for stiffer support and thicker for softer cushioning.
Ordinary Lines: 6-7mm.
Heavy Haul: 5-6mm (stiffer) or 12-20mm (load-bearing).
High-Speed: 9-12mm (or 18-22mm double-layer).
What effect does thickness have on rail elastic pads?
Rail pad thickness significantly affects track stiffness, vibration damping, and load distribution, with thicker pads generally providing better shock absorption and noise reduction (good for high-speed/heavy loads) but requiring careful selection to avoid rail movement, while thinner pads are stiffer, suitable for lighter loads, but can lead to faster wear if insufficient, impacting overall track life and stability.
Effects of Thickness:
- Load Distribution: Thicker pads spread the train's weight over a larger sleeper area, reducing stress points, while thinner pads concentrate load.
- Vibration & Noise: Thicker pads offer superior vibration damping and noise reduction, crucial for urban transit, whereas thinner pads provide less cushioning.
- Track Stiffness: Thicker pads increase track flexibility (lower stiffness); conversely, thinner pads make the track stiffer.
- System Compatibility: Correct thickness is vital for system stiffness; too thick can overstress clips, too thin reduces clamping force, potentially causing rail creep.
- Durability & Wear: Proper thickness (often thicker for heavy loads) resists damage and extends life, preventing premature pad crushing and sleeper cracking.
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.
| 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. |