Railway pads always play a key role in rail fastener system. It's a bedding device between the rail track and the railway sleeper (or railroad tie), which ensures the railway safely and stably operates by providing cushion and support.
What factors affect the aging rate of rail pads?
Rail pad aging is affected by environmental factors (heat, UV, moisture, chemicals), mechanical stresses (axle loads, speed, vibration, track irregularities, clip force), and the pad's material composition (EPDM, EVA, PU), with degradation leading to increased stiffness, cracks, and loss of damping, impacting track dynamics and noise.
Key Factors
Temperature: High heat accelerates degradation (oxidation), while very low temperatures can significantly increase stiffness, affecting vibration damping.
UV Light: Sunlight exposure causes material breakdown, leading to stiffness changes and cracking, with different polymers (like EPDM vs. EVA) reacting differently.
Mechanical Loads & Vibration: Heavy axle loads, high train speeds, and constant vibration cause fatigue and mechanical wear, altering pad properties.
Material Type: Different polymers (EPDM, EVA, Polyurethane) have inherent vulnerabilities and strengths, influencing their aging rate and response to stress.
Contamination: Sand, water, and chemicals from the ballast or environment can seep in, causing chemical degradation or affecting mechanical performance.
Clip Force/Toe Load: Loss of proper fastening force (toe load) can change stress distribution and accelerate pad deterioration.
Pad Design: Features like damping blocks or mesh designs can improve stress distribution and extend service life.
How does the railroad pad work?
A railroad pad, a flexible rubber/polyurethane mat between the rail and sleeper (tie), works by absorbing impact, dampening shock, and distributing load from passing trains, protecting the track structure from wear, reducing noise, and improving passenger comfort. It acts as a cushion, preventing direct metal-to-concrete contact, and its elasticity reduces stress, prolonging the life of the entire track system by managing vibration and wear.
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.
| 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. |
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.
