What material are rails pad made of?
The material selection for railway rail pads is a core factor determining their performance and application scope. Currently, widely used pad materials are primarily categorized into three major groups: polymer synthetic rubber, engineering plastics, and composite materials. Each category plays an irreplaceable role in the track system due to its unique molecular structure and physical properties.
Synthetic rubber pads, particularly those based on natural rubber or ethylene propylene diene monomer, are the most extensively used type. Leveraging their excellent viscoelasticity, these materials effectively absorb impact and vibration energy generated during train operation, converting mechanical energy into heat through internal molecular friction. Simultaneously, the inherent high electrical resistance of rubber provides reliable insulation, which is crucial for ensuring the proper functioning of signaling systems in electrified railways. By adjusting the vulcanization system and fillers in the formulation, the dynamic stiffness, hardness, and durability of the pads can be precisely controlled to meet diverse requirements from heavy-haul to high-speed railways.
| 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 |
Engineering plastic pads mainly include thermoplastic materials such as high-density polyethylene, polyurethane, and nylon. The characteristics of these pads are higher stiffness and outstanding wear resistance, with minimal deformation under significant static loads, thereby better maintaining track geometry. Their low moisture absorption and resistance to acids and alkalis ensure stable performance in humid or chemically polluted environments. Such pads are typically more suitable for sections demanding high track longitudinal resistance and experiencing harsh environmental conditions.
| 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) |
Composite material pads aim to combine the advantages of multiple materials. Common examples include rubber-metal laminated pads, which use metal plates to provide support stiffness and rubber layers for elastic damping; or rubber-fiber reinforced pads, which improve tear resistance by embedding fiber grids. These designs seek the optimal balance between stiffness and elasticity, strength and durability, to meet the complex stress requirements of special locations like bridge transition zones or turnout areas.
GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY is equipped with rail pad production lines for 130sets of machines, for the whole process of injection, refining rubber, sulfuration, moulding and inspection, etc. We own the most engineers for rail pad development, design, production and inspection, with annual production capacity reaching up to 2000, 000 pieces.
GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY supplies a full range of rail pad products encompassing the aforementioned major material categories. We can recommend the most cost-effective material solutions based on specific project technical conditions and operational objectives, providing corresponding product performance verification and technical support.