What is the compatibility of rail elastic pads?
Dec 19, 2025
The rail pad, or called rail elastic pad, refers to a pad made of rubber or plastic, which is installed between the rail and the concrete under-rail component. The main function of rail elastic pad is to buffer the high-speed shock and vibration generated when the vehicle passes the rail, protect the roadbed and sleepers, and electrically insulate the railway signal system.
What is the compatibility of rail elastic pads?
Rail elastic pad compatibility is high, working across various rail types (UIC, AREMA), sleepers (wood, concrete), and fastening systems (E-clips, SKL), with key considerations being matching stiffness (30-200 kN/mm) to axle loads, ensuring material (rubber, EVA, HDPE) suits the environment (temp, moisture), and achieving proper vibration/noise reduction for the application (metro, heavy haul, high-speed).
Rail pads for E-type rail fastening systems
Rail rubber pads used for E-type rail fastening systems are with the similar functions of the rail insulators to insulate the rail above it from the tie sleepers lied below it, for effective protection against vibration and structure-borne noise as well. The rail pad works together with e-clips, rail insulators/insulated gauge blocks and rail shoulders/embedded parts to form a whole set of E-type rail fastening system.
Rail pads for SKL rail fastening systems
A rail pad in a SKL rail fastening system is a small but crucial fastener part, working together with SKL clips, screw spikes, plastic dowels, guide plates and so on. The elastic rail pads we produce possess a defined stiffness and demonstrably increase the elasticity of the track superstructure. With a higher level of elasticity, it contributes towards quiet running of the rolling stock, to meet today's acoustic requirements on railway lines.
What is the standard for railway elastic pad?
Below are the standards of rail pads for different countries or organization.
- British: EN 13481-2, EN 16730.
- China: TB/T2626, HG/T 3328-2006
- ISO: ISO 14837-1:2005, ISO/TS 14837-31:2017, ISO/TS 14837-32:2015; ISO 22074-1:2020, ISO 22074-2:2021, ISO 22074-3:2021, ISO 22074-4:2022, ISO 22074-5:2021, ISO 22074-6:2021, ISO 22074-7:2021.
- UIC: UIC 864-5
- NR(Network Rail): NR/L2/TRK/052; NR TWI 2C046; NR TWI 2S075
What is the material of the rail pad?
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.
| 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 could provide different types of rail pad according to different standards requirement.Just send us the detailed dimensions of your rail pad or standard rail pad you get from any catalogues, we could choose the most proper material for your required rail elastic pads and submit in proper time.
Send your special customization requirements to GNEE.
