Abstract: The invention relates to a spring element for vibration damping and/or suspension of a rail vehicle, comprising at least one elastic damping body and at least one fire-resistant cover layer arranged on the damping body, the cover layer having at least one compensation zone, wherein the compensation zone is compressed in the loaded state of the spring element such that wrinkling of the cover layer is prevented, wherein the cover layer and the damping body are inseparably connected to form a composite element. The invention further relates to a cover layer and the use of a spring element or a cover layer.