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.
What is the surface treatment of this railway track pad?
Railway track pads typically have a matte, anti-slip surface (often textured with grooves or ribs) for grip, made from resilient materials like rubber or polyurethane, sometimes with added synthetic polymeric coatings for enhanced ozone/chemical resistance and durability against wear, impacts, and extreme weather, ensuring better track performance and longevity.
Common Surface Characteristics:
- Anti-Slip Finish: A matte, textured surface with patterns like grooves or ribs increases friction, preventing slippage under heavy loads.
- Wear Resistance: Coatings or specific material blends (like abrasion-resistant rubber/polyurethane) protect against abrasion from rail movement.
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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) |
- Weather Resistance: Formulations are designed to remain resilient and not harden, crack, or deform in extreme heat or cold.
What is the function of Grooved in Rail Rubber Pad?
Grooves in rail rubber pads function to provide controlled flexibility, improve grip, prevent rail slippage, and manage water/debris, all while cushioning impact, reducing noise and vibration, and protecting sleepers from wear by allowing specific load-deflection characteristics and ensuring consistent contact between the rail and pad, extending track life and improving safety.
Key Functions of Grooves:
- Controlled Load Distribution: Grooves create specific flexing zones, ensuring the pad deforms predictably under heavy loads, distributing stress evenly across the sleeper and ballast.
- Enhanced Grip & Stability: They increase friction, preventing the rail from sliding, especially in wet or icy conditions, while maintaining contact as the rail vibrates or shifts slightly.
- Water & Debris Management: Grooves act as channels, allowing water, dirt, and oil to escape from between the rail and pad, preventing buildup that could compromise grip or cause corrosion.
- Reduced Wear & Tear: By preventing direct metal-to-metal contact and cushioning impacts, grooves minimize abrasion and crushing on both the rail and sleeper, extending their lifespan.
- Vibration & Noise Dampening: The design, combined with the rubber material, helps isolate and absorb high-frequency vibrations, reducing noise for passengers and nearby communities.
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.
Click here to obtain the detailed product catalog of GNEE RAIL.