Rail pads are elastic polyurethane mats which are interposed between steel rails and railway sleepers to protect the sleeper top from wearing and impacting.
What are the characteristics of railway pads used in extremely cold railways?
Railway pads for extremely cold conditions need materials that stay elastic, resist hardening, and maintain shock absorption without becoming brittle, focusing on low-temperature resistant polymers like specific rubbers (EPDM, Chloroprene) or advanced plastics (HDPE, EVA blends) that handle freeze-thaw cycles, prevent cracking, and ensure electrical insulation and long-term stability for safe, efficient train operation.
Key Characteristics:
- Low-Temperature Flexibility: The primary requirement is to prevent hardening, which reduces elasticity and cushioning, so materials must retain flexibility and dampening properties even at sub-zero temperatures to avoid cracking under dynamic loads.
- High Elasticity & Low Compression Set: Must provide excellent shock absorption and vibration isolation without deforming permanently (compression set) under heavy loads, even when cold.
- Material Composition: Often use special rubber compounds (like EPDM, chloroprene, or SBR) or composite materials (rubber-plastic blends, HDPE, EVA) designed for extreme cold.
- Abrasion & Aging Resistance: Must withstand constant wear, UV, and environmental stressors for a long service life.
- Moisture Resistance: Good waterproof properties are crucial to prevent water absorption, which can lead to expansion, freeze-thaw damage, and reduced performance.
- Electrical Insulation: Maintain high electrical resistance to prevent current leakage, a key safety feature.
- Stability: Provide a stable platform, preventing rail movement and reducing maintenance on the track structure.
Precautions for using a railway pad in extremely cold environments
When using railway pads in extreme cold, prioritize material selection for low-temp resilience (like Neoprene/carbon fiber), ensure clean, flat installation surfaces, maintain proper torque for consistent compression, and implement rigorous cold-weather inspections to catch rail fractures from thermal contraction, potentially adjusting speed limits and providing warmth/gear for field staff.
GNEE RAIL provides exceptional elastic rail pads of various types for high-speed railways, normal-speed railways, and cranes. Especially the rail pads made of rubber, EVA, TPEE, and HDPE are very popular with customers. Our railway rubber pads fit the rails such as UIC54, UIC60, BS80lbs, BS100lbs, etc
| 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. |