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 are the core advantages of composite rail pads?
Composite rail pads offer superior durability, vibration dampening, and environmental resistance, thanks to engineered blends of materials like rubber, plastic, and fibers, providing longer service life, lighter weight, better load distribution, and improved insulation compared to traditional pads, making them ideal for high-speed and harsh conditions.
Key Advantages
- Durability & Longevity: Engineered for high strength and resistance to wear, aging, and fatigue, often lasting significantly longer than standard rubber pads.
- Vibration & Noise Reduction: Effectively absorb shock and dampen vibrations, leading to quieter rides and less structural stress.
- Environmental Resistance: Highly resistant to harsh chemicals, moisture, UV rays, and extreme temperatures, performing well in coastal, desert, or mining environments.
- Lightweight & High Strength: Lighter than traditional materials but strong enough to reduce load on track foundations and distribute heavy train loads effectively.
- Electrical Insulation: Prevent current leakage in electrified tracks, crucial for signaling and safety.
- Performance Stability: Maintain consistent stiffness and performance across wide temperature ranges, preventing rail seat deterioration.
- Customizable Properties: Can be tailored (e.g., cork-rubber, fiber-reinforced) for specific needs, like high-frequency vibration absorption for high-speed lines.
What are the commonly used materials for railway pads?
Commonly used materials for railway pads are elastic polymers like Rubber (natural, SBR, EPDM) and plastics such as HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) and EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate), chosen for cushioning, vibration dampening, and friction, with some advanced pads using TPU, TPEE, or composites for specific performance needs, often between the rail and baseplate to protect components and improve comfort.
| 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. |
Comparion of EPDE+PP-X / TPE/TPR / TPU
| Performance | EPDM+PP-X | TPE/TPR | TPU | ||
| TPV | TPO | SBS | SEBS | ||
| Tensile Strength | Δ | Ο | Ο | Ο | ◎ |
| Compression permanent deformation(100℃,168H) | ◎ | Ο | Δ | Δ | Δ |
| Operating temperature(℃) | -60~135 | -40~125 | -20~80 | -30~110 | -30~120 |
| Hot Air Aging | ◎ | Ο | X | Δ | X |
| (100℃,720H) | |||||
| Oil Resistance,3#oil | ◎ | Δ | X | Δ | Δ |
| (125℃,70H,3#oil) | |||||
| Acid and alkali resistance | ◎ | Δ | X | Δ | Δ |
| Processing technology | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | X |
| ◎:Excellent Ο:Good Δ: Ordinary Χ:Poor | |||||
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.