TRACKELAST FC9 (Complies with UIC specification 864/5)
TRACKELAST FC9 is a little stiffer than FC584 and is available in thicknesses up to 1Omm. It is primarily specified for use on lower speed main line tracks.

TRACKELAST FC846 (Complies with Railtrack specification RT/CE/S/052 and UIC 864/5)
An extremely hard wearing grade, TRACKELAST FC846 has a relatively high  stiffness. It is used under very arduous conditions, often on switches and crossings, and can be used with rigid fasteners.

TRACKELAST FC887 (Complies with Railtrack specification RT/CE/S/052)
TRACKELAST FC887 can be adapted to suit any environment. It combines the strength and toughness of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) with the resilience of cork particles in a unique process. The resulting pads are very tough and durable.  These pads are used on both low and high speed tracks in thicknesses of up to 10mm.

TRACKELAST FC128 (Complies with Railtrack specification RT/CE/S/052)
A range of pads made from ethylene vinyl acetate in either eared or lipped configuration is  available. FC128 is a non-resilient pad installed in areas requiring a very tough and durable material. 

RAIL SUPPORT SOLUTIONS

Rail Pads

This highly resilient grade is available in thicknesses of up to 10.5mm. It is often used on high speed track where the reduction of impact forces is most important. TRACKELAST FC584 is also frequently specified for use on tramway and mainline applications.

TRACKELAST Micromax -  The latest development in rail pads technology.

The Micromax range of pads has been designed to meet the provisional CEN specification prEN 13146-3 and -4, and prEN 13481-2 and Railtrack specification RT/CE/S/052.

Key features:

Unique microcellular construction achieves low stiffness and non linear deflection characteristics without the need for externally open structures such as grooves or small projections.

High impact attenuation (Type A) in excess of 37% @ 20kN preload is achieved with 5.0, 7.5 and 10mm thickness Micromax rail pads.  This is essential for use on concrete sleepers and bearings, and for high speed lines.

High level of durability as established through abrasion testing.

Excellent long-term fatigue resistance.  Independent testing with different fastening systems has proven Micromax rail pads can withstand over 3 million cycles of inclined loading to simulate high axle loads, without attrition and with high retention of original properties.

Micromax pads have been developed to take into account modern signalling requirements. The Micromax pads have high electrical resistance in both AC and DC to give an end of life value in excess of 150k Ohms.

The flat sided design ensures there is no possible water or dirt ingress under the rail or between the pad and the sleeper, which could seriously affect the rate of attrition and significantly reduce the electrical performance.

Micromax was designed for high ambient temperature operation.  Not only is it suitable for use in warmer climates, it is also resistant to the higher temperatures caused by electrical breaking systems.

Longitudinal rail restraint offering over 11kN pullout force.

Compatibility with major fastenings systems.

Contributes to minimisation of noise and vibration emission.

TRACKELAST FC584 (Complies with Railtrack specification RT/CE/S/052 and UIC 864/5)

A series of grooved natural rubber rail pads designed to meet UIC rail requirements for use on concrete sleepers.

These natural rubber pads have good impact attenuation characteristics, to make them ideally suited for use on concrete sleepers to reduce the level of impact damage and degradation.

Click here to download the full specification of these pads.   Download Full Spec..

These new rail pads have performance similar to traditional proven Trackelast FC584 rubber bonded cork pads, which Tiflex have been supplying to the rail industry for over 40 years. The pads are tested and inspected to confirm full compliance with Railtrack RT/CE/S/052 specification

TRACKELAST FC200 (Ridge Pads)

The repeated impact of train wheels over sleepers can reduce the lifetime of a sleeper and degrade ballast. In more extreme cases it can lead to the breakdown of the sleeper. Concrete sleepers are rigid compared to steel and wooden sleepers and therefore it is necessary to provide impact attenuation to prevent premature breakdown of the concrete. Trackelast and Micromax rail pads are designed and manufactured to provide impact attenuation.

Thickness of the pads affects the performance, with thicker pads having a higher degree of impact attenuation. For high-speed lines and heavily trafficked track, Class A pads, the highest category with over 30% impact attenuation, are available in FC584, Ridgepad and Micromax rail pads ranges.

Tiflex rail pads are made from a variety of both natural and synthetic elastomers to meet the precise demands of the operating environment from high speed track to maintenance bays.

All Trackelast and Micromax rail pads are specially formulated for their electrical properties to ensure isolation of the rail to allow track signalling to be operated using the rail for the return. For third rail systems higher performance pads are available.

Rubber (microcellular, ridged or rubber bonded cork composite) pads are supplied for concrete and wooden sleepers whereas EVA pads are supplied for most steel sleeper applications. Plastic HDPE shims can also be used for isolation of baseplate systems. For further information consult the tables for rail pads.

Careful selection of rail pads can help to reduce noise and vibration. Rail pads with a high resilience give a better performance. Rail pads can work on their own or in conjunction with a baseplate and baseplate pad or with a booted sleeper style of track.

Where rail is directly fixed to slab track, it is advisable to fit a rail strip under the foot of the rail to reduce the impact loading on the concrete slab track. Tiflex Rail pads are used with most common types of track fastenings.

Tiflex Rail Pads have been supplied to many of the worlds leading rapid transit and railway authorities for more than 45 years. This continuing experience has resulted in the development of a range of materials to suit every type of ballasted and non-ballasted permanent way construction.

Key Features:

• Very durable
• Provide electrical insulation
• Provides resilience and impact attenuation
• Reduces the possibility of rail foot corrosion and concrete sleeper erosion
• Provides resistance to rail creep

Rail Pads & Baseplate Pads Selection Process

Selecting the correct Rail or Baseplate pad is dependent on many factors. The chart below is intended to assist you in providing our technical department with all the information which they require to recommend the most appropriate product for your application. All of these variables may play a part in ensuring that the correct selection is made.

Please contact our Webmaster with questions or comments. © Copyright 2007 Tiflex Limited. All rights reserved.

Information in this document and otherwise supplied to users is based on our general experiences and is given in good faith but, because of particular factors which are outside our knowledge and control and affect the use of products, no warranty is given or implied with respect to such information.

Specifications are subject to change without notice. Safe handling data sheet for these materials are available as as PDF downloads. Click here to download