What are the types of rail pads?
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.
Rail pads are categorized by material (Rubber, EVA, HDPE, Composite) and design (Grooved, Studded, Continuous, Discontinuous), serving to cushion impacts, reduce vibration, and increase friction between rails and sleepers for different railway needs, from high-speed to crane tracks.
By Material
- Rubber Pads: Natural or synthetic, known for excellent resilience, used in high-speed and heavy-load applications.
| 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 (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) Pads: High elasticity, common for various rail types like UIC/BS.
| 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) |
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) Pads: Durable and resistant, often combined with EVA.
| 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) |
- Composite Pads: Made from advanced materials like fiberglass or polyurethane for strength and lightness.
By Design/Type
- Grooved Pads: Feature grooves to fit specific rail/sleeper interfaces, offering better stability.
- Studded Pads: Have raised studs for enhanced grip and vibration damping, good for tough environments.
- Continuous Pads: Cover the entire sleeper, used for continuous rail support.
- Discontinuous Pads (Sole Plates): Used for discontinuous supports, like on bridges or specific turnout types.
Common Variations
- Elastomeric Pads: General term for rubber/polymer pads for shock absorption.
- Cork Rubber Pads: Used as cushions, though rubber often outperforms them.
GNEE RAIL has 16 sets of Engel injection machines (2 sets of 350T, 2 sets of 450T, 5 sets of 650T, 3 sets of 850T, 4 sets of 1350T) and 1 advanced automatic drying system, specializing in the production of railways, automobiles, home appliances, as well as other nylon parts, and plastic parts. At present, the production capacity of high-speed rail accessories is as follows: 90,000 Pcs/month for gauge plates, 900,000 Pcs/month for nylon dowels, 450,000 Pcs/month for rail pads, 90,000 Pcs/month for height-adjusting pads, 1,200,000 Pcs/month for insulating pads, etc.
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.
