A rail pad is inserted in between the rail and baseplate or sleeper. Rail pad is introduced to the railway fastening system because of its resilience or viscoelasticity which can be implemented in the intervention of fatigue cracking of sleepers. The dynamic stress from the wheel or rail impact from both regular and irregular movements is attenuated. There is the added advantage of reducing track maintenance and associated costs.
Why is maintaining railway pads important?
Maintaining railway pads is crucial for railway safety, longevity, and efficiency, as they act as shock absorbers, reducing vibration, wear, and noise from passing trains, protecting expensive sleepers and rails, ensuring stable load distribution, and preventing costly disruptions, ultimately extending track life and reducing maintenance needs.
Key Functions & Importance of Maintenance:
- Vibration & Shock Absorption: Pads cushion the heavy impacts and vibrations from trains, protecting sleepers (ties) from cracking and reducing stress on the entire track system, extending component life.
- Wear Reduction: By preventing direct metal-to-concrete contact, they minimize friction and wear on both the rail base and the sleeper, saving on replacement costs.
- Load Distribution: They spread the immense weight of trains over a larger surface area, preventing load concentration and fatigue in the sleepers.
- Noise & Vibration Dampening: They significantly reduce noise pollution and improve passenger comfort by absorbing high-frequency vibrations.
- Electrical Insulation: In signaling systems, pads provide necessary electrical insulation between rails and fastenings, preventing signal interference.
- Sealing: They help seal the interface between the rail and support, preventing moisture and debris from getting in.
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 is the function of a rail tie pad?
A rail tie pad's main job is to sit between the steel rail and the concrete or timber sleeper (tie) to absorb shock, reduce vibration, and distribute loads from passing trains, protecting the track structure from wear, cracking, and noise, while also providing electrical insulation and improving ride comfort.
Key Functions of railway pad:
Vibration & Shock Damping: The elastic material (like polyurethane) cushions impacts and dampens vibrations, preventing them from damaging concrete sleepers and reducing noise.
Load Distribution: Spreads the high pressure from train wheels over a larger surface area of the sleeper, reducing stress concentration and fatigue
Wear Protection: Prevents direct metal-to-concrete or metal-to-wood friction, significantly reducing abrasion on the sleeper's top surface.
Electrical Insulation: Can provide electrical isolation between the rail and the sleeper, crucial for signaling systems.
Improved Ride Quality: The increased elasticity and reduced vibration lead to a smoother, more comfortable ride for passengers.
Our EVA/HDPE/rubber rail pads are with high elasticity, applying to types for rails such as rail UIC54, UIC60, BS80lbs,BS100lbs, and sizes as ordered. The pads can be customized with or without grooves, in various possible designs, depending on customers' requirements.