What are the differences between rail pads made of different materials?
Dec 22, 2025
The rail pad, also known as bottom plate, is an elastic polyurethane pad assembled between the rails and sleeper to protect the top of the sleeper from wear and impact. The initial stiffness of the rail pad is not so high that the deformation of the rails under the load of the spring is very large. This mechanism ensures that the rail pad moves as close as possible to realize close contact with the track.
What are the differences between rail pads made of different materials?
Rail pad materials differ mainly in their vibration damping, durability, and environmental resistance, with rubber offering excellent flexibility and shock absorption (Natural Rubber for high-speed, EPDM for weather), polyurethane (PU) providing superior wear/tear resistance for heavy loads, and thermoplastics (HDPE/EVA) giving stiffness and long life for general use, with EVA balancing elasticity and rigidity better than HDPE.
| 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. |
Which material of railway pad offers the best cost-effectiveness?
For general use, rubber pads (especially SBR) offer the best cost-effectiveness due to low initial cost, wide availability, and long-term savings from reduced track wear, but for extreme conditions (cold/heat/heavy loads), specialized polyurethane (PU) or rubber-metal composites become more cost-effective long-term by preventing premature failure and replacement costs. EVA provides a good middle-ground for mixed traffic, balancing cost and performance.
| 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 |
Why Rubber Rail Pad Often Wins on Cost?
Rubber rail pads win on cost not due to low initial price, but because their superior shock absorption, vibration dampening, and durability drastically cut long-term maintenance, repairs, and component replacement, extending track life and reducing operational downtime, making them cheaper over the entire lifecycle of the railway system.
- Reduced Wear & Tear: Rubber absorbs impact and distributes loads, protecting rails, fasteners, and sleepers from damage, leading to fewer replacements.
- Lower Maintenance: Less shock means less need for adjustments, tightening, or fixing misaligned parts, simplifying upkeep.
- Extended Lifespan: Strong, durable rubber resists aging and harsh conditions, meaning pads and track components last much longer, delaying costly overhauls.
- Fewer Disruptions: Fewer repairs mean less track downtime, preventing lost revenue from delayed or canceled trains.
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
As a professional manufacturer of rail fasteners, GNEE RAIL is able to produce rail pads of various rail pads, such as UIC54, UIC60, BS80lbs, BS100lbs and so on. In addition, we can offer custom-made track pads according to drawings or samples.
