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.
What is the function of an elastic rail pad?
- 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
How to improve the anti-deformation capability of rail pads?
- Regular Cleaning: Use compressed air to clear dust from within dust-proof skirts to prevent hardening and maintain performance.
- Environmental Control: Store and operate pads away from direct sunlight, heat sources, oils, and organic solvents, as these degrade the rubber.
- Timely Replacement: Replace pads regularly (e.g., polyurethane every 10-15 years) to counter the natural decay of their elastic properties (elastic modulus attenuation).
We 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 is the standard for railway elastic pad?
Below are the standards of rail pads for different countries or organization.
- British: EN 13481-2, EN 16730.
- China: TB/T2626, HG/T 3328-2006
- ISO: ISO 14837-1:2005, ISO/TS 14837-31:2017, ISO/TS 14837-32:2015; ISO 22074-1:2020, ISO 22074-2:2021, ISO 22074-3:2021, ISO 22074-4:2022, ISO 22074-5:2021, ISO 22074-6:2021, ISO 22074-7:2021.
- UIC: UIC 864-5
- NR(Network Rail): NR/L2/TRK/052; NR TWI 2C046; NR TWI 2S075
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.