What is the difference between rail pads and rail insulators?
Rail pads primarily provide cushioning and vibration dampening, typically measuring 5-10mm thick. Rail insulators are thicker (10-20mm) and serve the additional function of electrical insulation, preventing current leakage in electrified rail systems and protecting signaling circuits from interference.
Railway Pad
Rail pads are elastic polyurethane mats which are interposed between steel rails and railway sleepers to protect the sleeper top from wearing and impacting.
The rail pad laid under the rail is used to guarantee:
- The load distribution covering a larger surface area
- Reducing load concentration and usage fatigue stress
- Even contact area between the rail and supporting components
- Reducing noise and structural vibrations
- Sealing function between the top support and rail bottom
- Reducing rail wearing and relevant supporting components
The Following are Rubber Rail Pads Parameters：
| EVA: Polyethylene 80%, Vinyl Acetate 20%. | |||
| Technical Parameter | Unit | Technical Requirement | Value |
| Density | g/cm3 | 0.95-0.98 | 0.95 |
| Tensile Strength | Mpa | ≥15 | 16 |
| Elongation | % | >500 | 550 |
| Melting Point | ℃ | 170-190 | 170 |
| Insulation Resistance | Ω | ≥1×1010 | 5.0 ×1010 |
| Hardness | A | ≥90 | 92(A) |
| HDPE Rail Pad | |||
| Technical Parameter | Unit | Technical Requirement | Value |
| Density | g/cm3 | 0.95-0.98 | 0.95 |
| Tensile Strength | Mpa | ≥19 | 19 |
| Elongation | % | >80 | 150 |
| Melting Point | ℃ | 170-190 | 190 |
| Insulation Resistance | Ω | ≥1×1010 | 3.5 ×1010 |
| Hardness | A | ≥98 | 98(A) |
| Rubber Rail Pad | ||
| Technical Parameter | Unit | Value |
| Stiffness | KN | 90-130 |
| Hardness Shore A | ℃ | 72-80 degree |
| Electronic Resistance | Ω | ≥ 106 |
| Tensile Strength before Aging | Mpa | ≥12.5 |
| Elongation before Aging | % | ≥250 |
Railway insulator
Rail insulator, also called railroad insulator, rail insulation, rail nylon insulator, it is installed between steel rail and tie plate, for adjusting rail gauge and electrically insulating railroad rails, rail clips and rail bolts from the interior of a concrete sleeper. Its function is the same as a rail pad, but it is thicker than rail pad. For the high speed or high load train, it is a necessary rail fastener .
The insulators apply to rails such as 60kg (UIC) rail, 52kg rail, 136RE Rail, 90R, 75R, 50R, 60R etc. The rail insulator is mainly made by injection molding production, and it is mainly composed of Nylon-6 or Nylon-66 with glass filler content 20% to 35% depending on specification. These material are UV stabilized and available in natural color or as per requirement.
The properties of our rail insulators are as follows:
| Technical Parameter | Unit | Technical Requirement | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | g/cm | 1.3-1.45 | 1.45 |
| Tensile Strength | Mpa | ≥170 | 178 |
| Elongation | % | ≤4.4 | 4.0 |
| Bending Strength | Mpa | ≥250 | 290 |
| Impact Strength (No gap) | KJ/m2 | ≥80 | 85 |
| Melting Point | ℃ | 250 - 270 | 270 |
| Insulation Resistance | Ω | ≥1×108 | 5×108 |
| Glass Fiber Content | % | 30-35 | 35 |
| Hardness | HRR | ≥110 | 118 |
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.