When Harder Rail Pads Might Be Used?
Dec 22, 2025
Rail pad, is a rail rubber plate between the rail tie plate and foot of the rail, made of elastic polyurethane, which is interposed between steel rails and sleepers to reduce friction and impact. Rail pads are fastened within a fastening system by screw spikes or rail bolts into the sleeper ties. It is designed to increase the elasticity of the superstructure, reduce shock and vibration in the rail system.
Rail pad is made up of rubber or plastic is to dampen the shocks and vibration effecting on the train and track. Usually starting with setting a low stiffness in order to make spring clip has a larger relative deformation, which can guarantees the rail pad maintaining in close contact with the rail, make the rail pad play a better role.
When Harder Rail Pads Might Be Used?
Harder rail pads are used in heavy-haul railways and high-speed lines to handle massive axle loads and high-frequency vibrations, preventing sleeper crushing and ensuring stability, especially with heavy freight trains or fast passenger trains where softer pads would deform too much, while also needing specific materials like HDPE or composites for extreme temperatures.
| 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. |
- Heavy-Haul Railways: For tracks with axle loads over 25 tons (e.g., coal, ore transport), requiring high Shore hardness (75-85 degrees) to support immense pressure and prevent pad crushing.
- High-Speed Lines: To manage high-frequency vibrations and significant loads from fast trains (≥250 km/h), often using double-layer pads with a high-stiffness base for support.
- Mixed Traffic Lines (Freight/Passenger): For moderate to heavy axle loads (16-25t), thicker, higher-capacity pads (12-15mm) are used to enhance load bearing and disperse loads effectively.
- Slab Track Systems: Where concrete foundations are used, harder pads (like HDPE) provide necessary stiffness and protection, unlike ballast tracks.
- Extreme Temperature Environments: Harder, specialized materials like HDPE are chosen for very hot or cold climates where standard rubber might soften or harden excessively, affecting performance.
What are the advantages of using a harder rail elastic pad?
Harder rail elastic pads offer crucial advantages like enhanced track stability, better vibration/shock absorption, reduced wear on components, improved electrical insulation, and extended component lifespan, especially under heavy loads or high-speed conditions, by controlling rail movement and distributing forces more effectively than softer materials.
- Superior Stability & Grip: Their rigidity prevents excessive rail shifting, keeping tracks aligned and reducing the risk of derailment, crucial for high-speed rail.
- Higher Load Bearing: A harder pad's defined load-deflection curve allows it to handle massive pressures (e.g., 80+ tons) without significant deformation, preventing rail clips from loosening.
- Reduced Dynamic Forces: They absorb and dampen impacts from heavy trains, cutting dynamic forces on sleepers and track components, which protects against cracking and bending.
- Extended Component Life: By minimizing friction and impact, harder pads significantly reduce wear and tear on rails, sleepers (ties), and fastening systems, lowering maintenance costs.
- Effective Insulation: They provide necessary electrical insulation between the rail and sleeper, vital for signaling systems.
- Improved Rider Comfort: By damping vibrations, they contribute to quieter and smoother train rides, benefiting passengers and nearby communities.
GNEE RAIL equips 130sets machines' rail pad production line, for processing, injection, refining rubber, sulfuration , moulding and inspection etc. We have our own rail pad development engineers, designing, producing and inspecting, our annual production capacity reaching up to 2000, 000 pieces.
