what is a sleeper rubber plates?
Sleeper rubber plates, also known as Under Sleeper Pads (USPs), are durable, elastic pads placed between railway sleepers (ties) and the ballast or concrete foundation to absorb vibrations, reduce noise, protect infrastructure, and improve track stability, especially in high-stress areas like curves, bridges, and tunnels. Made from recycled rubber or synthetic materials like SBR/EPDM, they increase the lifespan of ballast by reducing impact, prevent ballast degradation, and provide a more uniform track stiffness for faster, quieter, and more reliable rail systems.
What's the difference between Under Sleeper Pads and Railway Pads?
Under Sleeper Pads (USPs) go under the sleeper (tie) between it and the ballast for overall track elasticity and reduced ballast wear, acting as a foundation cushion, while general Railway Pads (like Rail Pads) sit between the rail and the sleeper to filter high-frequency forces and protect concrete sleepers, creating a multi-layered cushioning system. USPs boost track resilience in areas with limited ballast (tunnels, bridges), while rail pads protect the sleeper from direct rail impact.
Under Sleeper Pads (USPs)
- Location: Between the sleeper and the ballast/track bed.
- Function: Increase track elasticity, reduce ballast degradation, dampen vibrations, and lower maintenance, especially where ballast depth is shallow (tunnels, bridges, heavy haul).
- Analogy: A "sole" or foundational carpet for the sleeper/track system.
Railway Pads (Rail Pads)
- Location: Directly between the rail foot and the top of the sleeper.
- Function: Transfer wheel loads from rail to sleeper, filter high-frequency vibrations, and prevent cracking/damage to concrete sleepers.
- Analogy: A direct shock absorber for the rail itself.
GNEE RAIL 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. |
GNEE RAIL offers different kinds of railway fasteners to meet client's requirements, such as Elastic Rail Clip and Clamp, Rail Screw Spike, Plastic Dowel, High Tensile Track Bolt with Nut, Rail Base(Tie) Plate, Rail Fish Plate, Railway Shoulder(Insert), Fish Bolt, Railroad Rubber and EVA Pad, etc. Samples and drawings provided by customer, we will manufacture qualified products accordingly.