Rail pad, is a rail rubber plate between the rail tie plate and foot of the rail, made of elastic polyurethane, which is interposed between steel rails and sleepers to reduce friction and impact. Rail pads are fastened within a fastening system by screw spikes or rail bolts into the sleeper ties. It is designed to increase the elasticity of the superstructure, reduce shock and vibration in the rail system. Rail pad is made up of rubber or plastic is to dampen the shocks and vibration effecting on the train and track. Usually starting with setting a low stiffness in order to make spring clip has a larger relative deformation, which can guarantees the rail pad maintaining in close contact with the rail, make the rail pad play a better role.
Which material of elastic rail pad is the most wear-resistant?
For superior wear resistance in elastic rail pads, Polyurethane (PU) is generally the top choice, offering 3-5 times better wear than rubber, handling high impacts, and lasting longer; however, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) excels in very heavy, low-speed freight for rigidity, while specialized rubber compounds (like Nitrile) provide great durability, oil/aging resistance for demanding environments.
Top Wear-Resistant Materials:
- Polyurethane (PU): Highly praised for its exceptional durability, shock absorption, and resistance to fatigue, PU pads significantly outlast rubber, making them ideal for high-speed and heavy-load tracks needing long life and stability.
- Nitrile Rubber (NBR): Excellent for harsh conditions, offering great oil, aging, and wear resistance, suitable for heavy lifting equipment and challenging industrial rail.
| Comparion of EPDE+PP-X / TPE/TPR / TPU | |||||
| Performance | EPDM+PP-X | TPE/TPR | TPU | ||
| TPV | TPO | SBS | SEBS | ||
| Tensile Strength | Δ | Ο | Ο | Ο | ◎ |
| Compression permanent deformation(100℃,168H) | ◎ | Ο | Δ | Δ | Δ |
| Operating temperature(℃) | -60~135 | -40~125 | -20~80 | -30~110 | -30~120 |
| Hot Air Aging | ◎ | Ο | X | Δ | X |
| (100℃,720H) | |||||
| Oil Resistance,3#oil | ◎ | Δ | X | Δ | Δ |
| (125℃,70H,3#oil) | |||||
| Acid and alkali resistance | ◎ | Δ | X | Δ | Δ |
| Processing technology | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | X |
| ◎:Excellent Ο:Good Δ: Ordinary Χ:Poor | |||||
Other Strong Options:
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): A rigid, durable plastic, excellent for heavy-haul freight where stiffness and load resistance are key, though less elastic than rubber.
| 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) |
- High-Quality Rubber Compounds: Formulated rubber pads (natural/synthetic) offer superior resilience, vibration damping, and shock absorption, crucial for passenger comfort and protecting sleepers, with high-density versions improving longevity.
| 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 |
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.