What is the role of Rail Pad in railway fastener systems
Sep 23, 2025
Railway pads are indispensable key components in modern railway fastening systems, typically installed between the rail and the sleeper. Their primary functions are to cushion the impacts and vibrations generated by train operation, distribute wheel loads, protect the rails and concrete or wooden sleepers, maintain the stability of track geometry, extend the overall service life of the track, and reduce maintenance costs.
GNEE RAIL has developed a series of high-performance elastic rail pads to meet stiffness requirements and suit various application fields-from tram tracks to standard gauge railways and heavy-haul railways. These are particularly suitable for E-type rail fastening systems and SKL-type rail fastening systems, and are made from materials such as HDPE/EVA/rubber.
HDPE
| No. | Technical Parameter | Unit | Technical Requirement | Value |
| 1 | Density | g/cm3 | 0.95-0.98 | 0.95 |
| 2 | Tensile Strength | Mpa | ≥19 | 19 |
| 3 | Elongation | % | >80 | 150 |
| 4 | Melting Point | ℃ | 170-190 | 190 |
| 5 | Insulation Resistance | Ω | ≥1×1010 | 3.5 ×1010 |
| 6 | Hardness | A | ≥98 | 98(A) |
EVA: Polyethylene 80%, Vinyl Acetate 20%
| No. | Technical Parameter | Unit | Technical Requirement | Value |
| 1 | Density | g/cm3 | 0.95-0.98 | 0.95 |
| 2 | Tensile Strength | Mpa | ≥15 | 16 |
| 3 | Elongation | % | >500 | 550 |
| 4 | Melting Point | ℃ | 170-190 | 170 |
| 5 | Insulation Resistance | Ω | ≥1×1010 | 5.0 ×1010 |
| 6 | Hardness | A | ≥90 | 92(A) |
Rubber
| No. | Technical Parameter | Unit | Value |
| 1 | Stiffness | KN | 90-130 |
| 2 | Hardness Shore A | ℃ | 72-80degree |
| 3 | Electronic Resistance | Ω | ≥ 106 |
| 4 | Tensile Strength before Aging | Mpa | ≥12.5 |
| 5 | Elongation before Aging | % | ≥250 |
Within the complete fastening system, railway pads work in coordination with various railway fasteners, including rail clips, rail bolts, rail nuts, gauge rods, tie plates, elastic rail clips, and gauge blocks. Simultaneously, railway pads also cooperate with components such as fishplates (rail joints), rail shoulders, and rail clamps to ensure the stability of the rails under heavy loads and temperature variations, providing the necessary elasticity to cope with thermal expansion and contraction as well as dynamic train loads.
GNEE RAIL can provide global customers with a full range of railway fastener products that meet international standards, including high-performance railway pads, clips, bolts, clamps, fishplates, elastic rail clips, tie plates, and crane rail clamps. Additionally, we offer customized design, precision manufacturing, installation technical guidance, and comprehensive after-sales services to meet various railway construction and maintenance needs.
Send your special requirements to GNEE.
