Rail Pad is a wear-prone component in the track system that requires regular maintenance and replacement. Its service life is typically 6–10 years, depending on factors such as line traffic volume, load intensity, and environmental conditions. Common failure modes include aging and cracking, wear-induced thinning, elastic degradation, and insulation performance decline. Regular inspections (every 6 months) are needed to monitor its condition. Timely replacement is required when wear exceeds 30% of the thickness or when damage occurs, to avoid compromising track stability and operational safety.
How is the insulation performance of rail pads tested?
Rail pad insulation performance is tested through lab methods like voltage withstand tests, insulation resistance measurements (megohmmeter), fatigue/aging simulation under load, and corrosion tests, plus on-site checks via track circuit signal monitoring and inspections, ensuring high resistance (e.g., >10⁸ Ω) to prevent current leakage for signaling systems.
Field & On-Site Monitoring
- Track Circuit Monitoring: Abnormal signaling if signals don't transmit properly, indicating potential insulation failure.
- Visual Inspection: Regular checks for cracks, permanent deformation, or material aging.
- Online Monitoring Systems: Real-time monitoring systems to detect insulation performance changes on critical lines.
GNEE RAIL specializes in producing rail fastening parts include Rail Pads. Keep the rail stable, to preclude and buffer impact, increase friction and reduce vibration, rail EVA pad lies between the rails and base plates. It can be made of HDPE, EVA, rubber, and EPDM materials. Main rail pads are made for E type rail fastening system and SKL type rail fastening system.
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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) |
GNEE RAIL provides exceptional elastic rail pads of various types for high-speed railways, normal-speed railways, and cranes. Especially the rail pads made of rubber, EVA, TPEE, and HDPE are very popular with customers. Our railway rubber pads fit the rails such as UIC54, UIC60, BS80lbs, BS100lbs, etc. We have more than 130set of machines in our production lines which can reach an annual production capacity of up to 2000, 000 pieces of rail pads. We offer a wide range of rail pads and other track materials at competitive prices.
