How to correctly use Rail Pads?
Nov 25, 2025
How to correctly use Rail Pads?
To correctly use rail pads, install them precisely between the rail and the sleeper, ensuring the surface is clean and the alignment is accurate. Secure the pad with the correct fasteners at the recommended torque to prevent loosening or deformation.
Installation process
- Clean the surfaces: Thoroughly clean all dust, sand, and oil from the sleeper and rail base before installation.
- osition the pad: Place the rail pad between the steel rail and the sleeper (or baseplate). Ensure the pad is centered to distribute load evenly.
- Align accurately: Use special tools or laser systems for precise positioning. Lateral deviation should not exceed 0.5 mm, and longitudinal deviation should not exceed 1mm.
- Fasten correctly: Install the rail fasteners (like screw spikes or bolts) and tighten them to the standard torque specified for the railway type (e.g., standard, high-speed, heavy-haul).
Standard railways:300–350 N.m
High-speed railways: 400–450 N.m
Heavy-haul railways: 500–550 N.m
Railway Pad Material and Structure
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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) |
Why correct use is important?
- Prevents wear and fatigue: Pads reduce impact and vibration, protecting the sleeper from wear and preventing fatigue cracking in concrete sleepers.
- Ensures stability: Precise positioning and fastening create a stable track, preventing gauge variation and ensuring a smooth ride.
- Reduces noise: By absorbing vibrations, pads minimize noise pollution for surrounding areas.
- Improves performance: Proper installation ensures even load distribution, which enhances overall train stability and efficiency.
Rail Pads Core Functions
- Elastic Cushioning: Absorbs high-frequency impacts from train wheelsets through the elastic deformation of rubber-especially critical for high-speed rail, where vibration frequency ranges from 10–50 Hz. This reduces wheel-rail contact stress and protects rails and sleepers (including concrete sleepers and ballastless track slabs).
- Vibration Isolation: Minimizes vibration transmission to the ballast and subgrade, effectively reducing track noise-particularly important in metro and urban rail systems, where environmental noise must be kept at or below 70 dB.
- Gauge Retention: Restrains lateral movement of rails through inherent rigidity, working together with fastening systems to ensure gauge deviation stays within ±2 mm.
As a professional rubber rail pad manufacturer GNEE RAIL can produce various standards of rubber rail pads and other rail fasteners. If you want to build a railway line, do not hesitate to contact us, we can supply all types of rubber rail pads with different materials. If necessary, we can make customized rubber rail pad production.
