The rail pad, or called rail elastic pad, refers to a pad made of rubber or plastic, which is installed between the rail and the concrete under-rail component. The main function of rail elastic pad is to buffer the high-speed shock and vibration generated when the vehicle passes the rail, protect the roadbed and sleepers, and electrically insulate the railway signal system.
How thick are rail pads in railway track?
Railway pads vary significantly in thickness, generally ranging from 4.5 mm to 20 mm, with some specialized pads reaching up to 60 mm, depending on the application; thinner pads (6-10 mm) suit standard lines for cushioning, while thicker pads (12-20+ mm) provide more vibration damping for heavy-haul or high-speed tracks, balancing load distribution and track height.
What are the effects of material on the thickness of a railway pad?
Material significantly affects rail pad thickness performance: softer materials (like EPDM) deform more, absorbing more vibration and reducing track forces, ideal for high-speed lines, while harder materials (like EVA) are stiffer, transmit more force but maintain better track geometry, suited for heavy freight; thickness itself dictates load spread and vibration absorption, with thicker pads reducing stress but potentially causing instability if excessive, requiring material choice to balance stiffness, damping, and durability for specific train loads, speeds, and environments.
| 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 to choose an elastic rail pad of the appropriate thickness?
To choose the right elastic rail pad thickness, match it to your rail type, train speed, axle load, and track system, balancing cushioning (thicker pads for heavy loads/noise) with clearance needs (thinner pads for lower profiles), typically ranging from 6-20mm, with faster/heavier trains needing thicker, denser pads for vibration control and longevity, while city metros use thinner pads for noise reduction.
As a professional rubber rail pad manufacturer GNEE RAIL can produce various standards of rubber rail pads and other rail fasteners. If you want to build a railway line, do not hesitate to contact us, we can supply all types of rubber rail pads with different materials. If necessary, we can make customized rubber rail pad production.