Rail Fastener
Rail fasteners, or bonded fasteners, made of rubber and metal are composite components that combine the advantages of elastic rubber and sturdy metal. They are used for damping, load transfer and securing rails to ties or solid track beds.
Area of application
A bonded fastener is a flexible rubber-metal component that fulfills several functions simultaneously in track construction. It ensures stable track alignment by absorbing transverse and longitudinal forces in a controlled manner and distributing them evenly to the fastening system. Thanks to its various degrees of hardness and designs, it can be precisely adapted to different requirements. This makes it particularly suitable for applications such as tunnels, bridges, urban rail lines, subways, commuter rail lines, ballastless slab track systems and high-load freight and high-speed rail lines. It is also used in sensitive environments such as residential areas, hospitals or industrial facilities to minimize vibrations and noise and protect the surrounding area from undesirable effects.
Technical details
The rail fastening element is an elastic rubber-metal component designed to reduce vibration and noise in modern track systems. Thanks to the permanently vulcanized bond between the elastomer and steel, it provides a highly load-bearing, dimensionally stable and electrically insulating intermediate layer between the rail and the substructure. The precisely defined stiffness range of the elastomer reduces dynamic wheel-rail forces, minimizes vibrations and effectively lowers structure-borne noise in structures. At the same time, the bonded fastener protects the track superstructure from peak stresses, improves load distribution and extends the service life of rails, fasteners and substructure components. The integrated electrical insulation reliably prevents stray currents and supports the safe operation of track circuits. The bonded fastener meets all relevant requirements in accordance with EN 13146 and EN 13481 and offers a reliable, durable and low-maintenance solution for demanding rail infrastructure.
Characteristics
Rail fasteners provide a defined spring stiffness, protect ties and sleepers from abrasion and ensure that the rail is securely fastened and stays on track. Thanks to their elastic properties, they improve the fatigue strength of the track, reduce maintenance requirements and enhance the comfort and longevity of the entire track structure. They dampen vibrations, reduce structure-borne noise and thereby minimize both mechanical stress on the infrastructure and the noise generated by trains. The elastic mounting significantly reduces peak stresses in the substructure, which protects the ties, rail fastenings and the superstructure as a whole and extends their service life. At the same time, the rubber body acts as an electrical insulator, prevents stray currents and supports the reliable operation of track circuits.