Rail Pad

A rail pad, also called rail rubber plate, is designed between the rail tie plate and foot of the rail, made by an elastic polyurethane mat, which is interposed between steel rails and tie sleepers to protect the sleeper top from wearing and impacting. Its defined stiffness is used to increase the elasticity of the superstructure of the ballast and reduce shock and vibration in the rail system. With such upgraded load distribution, it will lead to greater passenger comfort and less wearing onto the superstructure. The strengthened elasticity effects positively onto the wear of the superstructure items and rolling stock. It’s always fastened within a fastening system by screw spikes or rail bolts into the sleeper ties. The reason why rail pad made up of rubber or plastic is to dampen the shocks or vibration of a passing train. Usually the starting stiffness is designed a little low in order that the relative deformation under the spring clip toe loads is substantial, which can guarantees the rail pad maintaining in close contact with the rail in spite of any vertical movements of the latter.

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

Production Process of Rail Pads

AGICO is equipped with rail pad production lines for 130sets of machines, for the whole process of injection, refining rubber, sulfuration, moulding and inspection, etc. We own the most engineers for rail pad development, design, production and inspection, with annual production capacity reaching up to 2000, 000 pieces. What’s more, rail pads for high speed rail lines are our featured products, including both the elastic rubber plates and height adjustment pads.

Elastic rubber plates for High-speed Railways

Height adjustment pads for High-speed Railways

Rail pads for Normal Railways

A range of high-performance elastic rail pads have been developed for stiffness requirements and various application areas-from trams through standard gauge railways to heavy haul lines, this especially suitable for E-type rail fastening systems and SKL-type rail fastening system with material of HDPE/EVA/Rubber, the following parameters for reference.

HDPE

EVA: Polyethylene 80%, Vinyl Acetate 20%

Rubber