The rail pad, or called rail elastic pad, refers to a pad made of rubber or plastic, which is installed between the rail and the concrete under-rail component. The main function of rail elastic pad is to buffer the high-speed shock and vibration generated when the vehicle passes the rail, protect the roadbed and sleepers, and electrically insulate the railway signal system.
What material is rail pad made of?
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. |
What are the advantages of using Rubber, EVA, and HDPE to manufacture railway pads?
Rubber, EVA, and HDPE are popular for railway pads due to their excellent shock absorption, vibration damping, and insulation, which protect tracks, reduce noise, and extend component life; Rubber offers superior resilience, EVA provides durability with good elasticity, and HDPE offers high strength, corrosion resistance, and stability, making them ideal for high-speed and heavy-load applications with lower maintenance costs.
Rubber Rail Pads
- Shock Absorption & Damping: High elasticity absorbs impacts and reduces vibrations from trains, protecting sleepers and rails.
- Noise Reduction: Acts as a barrier, significantly lowering noise, improving passenger comfort and reducing track disturbance.
- Durability: Excellent wear resistance, aging resistance, and stability across extreme temperatures (hot/cold).
- Electrical Insulation: Provides necessary electrical isolation for signaling systems.
- Extended Life: Reduces wear on fasteners, sleepers, and rails, lowering maintenance.
EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) Rail Pads
- Cushioning: Excellent cushioning and shock absorption, ideal for mitigating strong vibrations.
- Toughness & Durability: Very tough and resilient, performing well in wide temperature ranges (e.g., -40°C to +60°C).
- Elasticity: High elasticity with low permanent deformation, ensuring consistent performance.
- Cost-Effective: Offers a balance of performance and lower replacement costs.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) Rail Pads
- Strength & Stability: High strength, resisting hardening, cracking, and deformation.
- Corrosion & Weather Resistance: Excellent resistance to moisture, chemicals, and weathering.
- Load Distribution: Effectively distributes wheel loads and reduces wear.
- Versatile: Often used in composites with rubber for combined benefits, suitable for heavy-duty use.
How to choose the right material for a rail elastic pad?
Choosing the right rail elastic pad material involves balancing application needs (urban/high-speed vs. rural), required performance (vibration damping, load capacity, durability), and cost, typically selecting between natural/synthetic rubbers, polyurethane, or blends like HDPE/EVA for resilience, chemical resistance, and noise reduction, ensuring the material meets standards for stiffness and longevity under specific track conditions.
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.