AAR Rubber Friction Mats

2 mm AAR Rubber Friction Mats

Low-profile industrial anti-slip mats are the go-to choice for palletized cargo, finished goods, and simple securement solutions. Adding high-friction grip without increasing load height or weight.

• 30″ × 42″ – 2 mm Mats
• 42″ × 48″ – 2 mm Mats
• 48″ × 52″ – 2 mm Mats
• 30″ × 1,900 ft 2mm Rolls
• View All 2mm Mat Sizes

Antislip Demo - AAR Rubber Friction Mats

Key Features & Benefits

1. 1
   Prevents load shifts: maintains stability in transit by increasing friction between the load and the floor.
2. 2
   Exceptionally durable: engineered not to crack, peel, or degrade over time, even under repeated loading.
3. 3
   Safe alternative to wood: helps eliminate floor damage, nails, and splinters while maintaining performance.
4. 4
   Consistent performance: retains high friction even when floors or pallets are exposed to moisture.
5. 5
   Eco-friendly construction: manufactured from over 90% post-consumer recycled rubber and fully recyclable.

Applications Across Industries

• Paper rolls - secure and stabilize rolls to prevent costly shifting or crushing
• Steel coils & metal products - reliable friction performance for heavy-duty loads
• Drums & chemical containers - protect against vibration and load rotation
• Palletized case goods - safe transport for food, beverages, and consumer products
• Bulk bags & construction materials - stable performance under high-density freight

Compliance & Certifications

• AAR (Association of American Railroads) - full approval for rail shipments
• FMCSA/DOT - aligned with the North American Cargo Securement Standard
• CCMTA - approved for Canadian shipments

With a Coefficient of Friction (COF) > 0.8, Cordstrap mats exceed AAR performance criteria across transport modes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. 1

   Why do logistics companies use rubber friction mats instead of just straps or wood?

   Friction mats dramatically increase grip between the load and the floor, helping prevent sliding during rail impacts, sudden truck braking, or container movement. AAR loading rules, FMCSA 49 CFR Part 393, and the CTU Code all recognize mats as a valid part of a compliant securement system, often with less floor damage and setup time than wood blocking.
2. 2

   What sizes and thicknesses do friction mats come in for transport loads?

   Most AAR-style mats are supplied in 2 mm, 3 mm, and 6 mm. You can get them as sheets (e.g. 40″ × 40″, 42″ × 48″), rolls you cut to length, or custom strips for narrow skids.
   
   AAR-verified mats from manufacturers like Cordstrap typically meet or exceed COF > 0.8 (wet & dry) and appear on the AAR Rubber Friction Mat Product Verification List.
3. 3

   How much grip or friction do I actually need for DOT or AAR compliance?

   Under U.S. DOT / FMCSA rules (49 CFR §393.102), cargo securement systems must be able to withstand 0.8 g deceleration forward, 0.5 g acceleration rearward, and 0.5 g lateral acceleration. In practical terms, that means your load must stay secure under forces equal to about 80% of its weight when braking, and 50% when accelerating or cornering.
   
   If a friction mat isn't rated or marked, enforcement typically assumes a conservative coefficient of friction (µ) ≈ 0.5. By contrast, AAR-approved friction mats are tested and documented to provide µ ≈ 0.8 or higher, helping your cargo resist forces up to roughly 3 g in rail or intermodal service, where impacts and shock loads can be much greater than highway conditions.
   
   For the best safety and compliance margin, always use a documented, AAR-listed mat and keep its certification on file.
4. 4

   What's the right way to place friction mats under cargo?

   Clean the floors, lay mats flat and wrinkle-free, cover the full footprint, and butt/overlap edges so no bare floor shows. Align them with the expected slip direction and document the layout in your load plan. AAR and CTU Code assume full, clean surface contact for the published friction to apply.
5. 5

   Can I skip wood blocking or nails if I use friction mats?

   Sometimes. If the overall securement method still meets the performance requirements. AAR allows mats to replace wood in certain verified patterns, but blocking can still be required. Treat mats as a layer in the securing system, not a total replacement.
6. 6

   What kinds of freight actually benefit from using friction mats?

   Heavy, flat-based loads: paper rolls/reels, steel coils and metal products, drums and chemical containers, palletized case goods, bulk bags, construction materials, and cross-modal freight that shifts between truck, rail, and container. Many AAR patterns for paper and steel explicitly call for mats.
7. 7

   Are friction mats reusable, or do they wear out fast?

   AAR-verified mats are designed for multiple cycles. Replace if you see cracks, cuts, delamination, glazing, embedded debris, or thinning. Tracking and inspecting routinely is cheaper than a damage claim.
8. 8

   How should I clean and store friction mats to keep their grip?

   Wash with mild detergent and water, and let dry completely (if needed), store flat and out of sun, don't fold or stack under excessive loads, and avoid oils/solvents. AAR guidelines and the CTU Code assumes friction values only apply to clean, dry surfaces.
9. 9

   How do I know if my friction mats are officially approved?

   For rail, check the AAR "Rubber Friction Mat Product Verification List." For highway, use mats with manufacturer-marked friction ratings and test data per 49 CFR §393.108(g). For intermodal, pick mats published to the AAR's Rubber Friction Mat Product Verification List.
10. 10

    Are rubber friction mats better than wood blocking or adhesive grip pads?

    They're faster, reusable, cleaner, and come with documented friction; and they work across road, rail, and sea. Wood may still be needed for structural bracing, and performance drops if mats are dirty or wet. In most regulated frameworks, the system just has to meet the acceleration forces, whatever components you use.
11. 11

    Do rain, oil, or heat affect how well friction mats work?

    Yes. Moisture, oil, and contamination can drop friction sharply; heat/UV can age rubber, and cold can reduce conformity. Design your securement using conservative friction values when conditions are uncertain, and clean mats before each load.
12. 12

    Can I use friction mats inside ocean containers or overseas shipments?

    Yes. The IMO/ILO/UNECE CTU Code covers container packing and includes friction tables, tilt-table testing, and guidance on combining mats with lashing and blocking. Pick mats that resist moisture/salt and document their friction factor in your securing calculations.
13. 13

    How much do friction mats cost, and are they really worth it?

    Expect roughly the cost of a good industrial mat (varies by thickness and format), but ROI comes from faster loading, less wood waste, fewer damage claims, and better compliance confidence. Used on multiple loads, cost per shipment can fall very low.
14. 14

    What should I look for when buying friction mats for my operation?

    Look for certified friction data (wet & dry), AAR listing for rail, durability testing, the right thickness for load weight, roll/sheet/custom formats, traceability, and cross-modal approval if you ship internationally. Run a quick incline test with your actual load before scaling up.
15. 15

    What causes friction mats to fail, and how can I prevent it?

    Common failure modes: surface wear, cuts/tears, compression set, glazing from micro-slip, embedded debris, UV or chemical degradation, and edge curling. Prevention: clean and dry mats, rotate/flip between loads, store flat and shaded, and design with a safety margin below the rated µ so you stay compliant with AAR, FMCSA, and CTU Code even as mats age.