What is a elastic rail pad?
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. With such upgraded load distribution, it will lead to greater passenger comfort and less wearing onto the superstructure. The strengthened elasticity effects positively onto the wear of the superstructure items and rolling stock.
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
GNEE RAIL equips 130sets machines' rail pad production line, for processing, injection, refining rubber, sulfuration , moulding and inspection etc. We have our own rail pad development engineers, designing, producing and inspecting, our annual production capacity reaching up to 2000, 000 pieces. What's more, rail pads for high-peed rail are our featured products, including both the elastic rubber plates and height adjustment pads.
The Following are Rubber Rail Pads Parameters：
| 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 the right material for your railway pad?
Choosing the right railway pad material depends on load, environment, and desired performance, with high-density rubber (EPDM, natural rubber) and polyurethane being top choices; rubber offers elasticity for vibration/noise control, while polyurethane provides superior load distribution and longevity for heavy traffic, but always check the fastening system specs for compatibility, considering factors like temperature, moisture, and track type (ballasted/concrete) to ensure durability and safety.
- Assess Load & Traffic: Determine if it's a main line, urban line, or siding.
- Check Environmental Impact: Note temperature swings, moisture, and UV exposure.
- Review Fastening Specs: Ensure compatibility with existing clips and baseplates.
- Prioritize Function: Decide if vibration damping, noise reduction, or load bearing is most critical.
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.