Do Rubber Rail Pads have good insulation properties?
Yes, rubber rail pads have good insulation properties, both for electrical and thermal insulation. They are designed to act as an insulator between the rail and the sleeper, which protects components and reduces wear, while also preventing electrical current from passing through.
Electrical insulation
- Prevents electrical conductivity: The primary function of the rail pad is to provide an electrical insulation barrier to prevent current from passing between the rail and the sleeper. This is important for the signaling and control systems of the railway.
- Non-conductive material: Rubber itself is a poor conductor of electricity because its tightly bound electrons do not allow for easy movement of electrical energy.
| 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 |
Thermal insulation
- Reduces thermal expansion effects: Rubber rail pads provide a degree of thermal insulation, helping to mitigate the effects of temperature-induced expansion and contraction of the rails.
- Limits wear and fatigue: By insulating the rail from the sleeper, the pads help to minimize friction and wear, which also extends the service life of both the rail and the sleeper.
The rail pad laid under the rail is used to guarantee:
- The load distribution covering a larger surface area
- Reducing load concentration and usage fatigue stress
- Even contact area between the rail and supporting components
- Reducing noise and structural vibrations
- Sealing function between the top support and rail bottom
- Reducing rail wearing and relevant supporting components
GNEE RAIL 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. What's more, rail pads for high speed rail lines are our featured products, including both the elastic rubber plates and height adjustment pads.
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. 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.
