The pads are installed between the sleeper (wooden or reinforced concrete) and the metal baseplate in a separate rail fastening system.
Materials of manufacture:
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polyurethane elastomer;
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natural and synthetic rubbers.
Main functions:
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Allow adjusting track stiffness and track structure movement under load in sections with variable stiffness.
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Shock absorption. Absorbs impact loads, reducing the impact on the sleeper and ballast.
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Load distribution. Evenly transfers pressure from the rail and baseplate to the sleeper surface.
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Sleeper protection. Prevents abrasion and chipping of wood on wooden sleepers or mechanical destruction of concrete on reinforced concrete sleepers.
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Electrical insulation. Isolates the rail from the grounded base, which is critically important for the operation of signaling, centralization and blocking systems (SCB).
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Compensation for irregularities. Smooths out minor defects in the surface of the sleeper and baseplate for tight contact.
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Vibration reduction. Reduces the transmission of vibrations to the lower track structure.
